Accident Wednesday closes Palmer-Wasilla Highway for several hours

WASILLA — The Palmer-Wasilla Highway was closed for several hours Wednesday following a two-vehicle accident that morning that sent two people to the hospital, one in critical condition.

According to a press release from Alaska State Troopers, the collision occurred at 10:56 a.m. on a bridge where the highway crosses Cottonwood Creek. Since that creek rarely freezes, fog often forms here causing icing on the bridge.

“Nicole Tanurdzic, 23, of Palmer, was driving eastbound… when she lost control of her 2004 Ford Ranger. The Ranger fishtailed and slid into the oncoming lane and was struck head-on by a 2007 Chevy Impala driven by Kyra Swinehart, 22, of Palmer,” according to the press release.

Swinehart was airlifted to Providence Alaska Medical Center in critical condition. Tanurdzic was taken in an ambulance to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Troopers say that both vehicles saw their airbags deploy and that the wreck shut down the highway until 3 p.m.