Big Lake man killed in ATV-car collision

BIG LAKE — A 25-year-old man died Saturday night after the Yamaha all-terrain vehicle he was driving collided with a passenger vehicle on Big Lake Road.

Alaska State Troopers say Caleb J. Younger, 25, of Big Lake and Sierra M. Mahnke, 23, of Wasilla were traveling in the same direction when the vehicles they were operating collided on Big Lake Road near Birch Lake Drive.

Trooper spokesperson Beth Ipsen said Younger was driving on the roadway with the flow of traffic but did not have taillights and he was hit from behind.

“It was not crossing the road, but driving down the road, which is illegal,” Ipsen said.

Troopers responded to the call around 10:37 p.m., Nov. 23.

Ipsen said the investigation is ongoing.

Younger was not wearing a helmet and was pronounced dead at the scene from injuries sustained in the collision, according to a trooper dispatch. The driver of the Taurus, Mahnke was uninjured.

Ipsen said the road was closed for about 2.5 hours while troopers investigated and cleared the scene.