Anchorage teen killed in Butte accident

BUTTE — An accident late Thursday night on the Old Glenn Highway claimed the life of an Anchorage teen.

According to Alaska State Troopers, troopers responded to Mile 2.8 of the highway at 11:32 p.m. On scene, they found Taren M. Paff, 18. She was southbound, driving a 1999 Ford Taurus when she lost control, crossed the centerline and was hit by a Ford F-250.

Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said Friday afternoon that the information she had did not speak to what caused Paff to lose control.

“It looks like she possibly over-corrected and slid sideways into the northbound lane, where she was struck in the passenger side by the F-250,” Peters said.

Troopers report she was fatally injured in the crash and died at the scene.

The driver of the other vehicle was Joshua Brunnhoelzl, 18, Wasilla. He, his four passengers and Paff were wearing seatbelts, Peters said. Paff was alone in her car at the time of the accident.

Brunnhoelzl and his passengers were taken to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, treated for minor injuries and released, according to the AST report.

Peters said standard practice in any fatal accident is to conduct toxicology screenings on the drivers to check for the presence of drugs or alcohol.

“It doesn’t appear that alcohol nor drugs were a factor,” Peters said, but, “of course we’ll have to wait until the results are back to have that verified.”

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.