Alcohol suspected as factor in fatal crash

MAT-SU - Alcohol is likely a factor in a Wednesday night crash on Trunk Road that claimed the life of a 28-year-old Wasilla man and seriously injured four other men, according to a Thursday report from the Alaska State Troopers.

Valley Hospital staff pronounced Thomas Grato dead at about 9:28 a.m. Thursday, troopers said, and the state medical examiner's office took his body for an autopsy.

The crash occurred at about 11:54 p.m. Wednesday after a southbound 1987 Acura Legend driven by Luke Jackson, 22, Anchorage, hurtled over an embankment on a 90-degree turn and rolled several times, ejecting its occupants.

The Acura came to rest about 174 feet from where it left the road.

Passengers in the car included William Johnson, 21, Wasilla; Eric Bretzke, 32, Wasilla; Dana Deedy, 49, Wasilla, and Grato.

Ambulances transported the five men to Valley Hospital. Johnson, Bretzke, Jackson and Deedy are expected to recover from their injuries.

Troopers said alcohol containers littered the crash site and evidence there suggested the men used only one of the car's seat belts.