Chopper called for pair of Mat-Su auto crashes

MAT-SU — Two people were transported via LifeFlight to Providence Alaska Medical Center this week in separate major vehicle collisions.

In the Butte area on Tuesday at 1:43 p.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to the intersection of Old Glenn Highway and Bodenburg for a report of a motor vehicle collision involving three vehicles and injuries.

According to troopers, Daniel Dean, 65, was driving a gray, 1997 Ford F-250 northbound on the Old Glenn carrying one passenger. A green, 1997 Saturn Wagon driven by a 17-year-old male and carrying a 16-year-old female passenger was stopped at the intersection on Bodenburg Loop. The Saturn pulled out in front of the Ford F-250 and was t-boned on the passenger side. The Ford F-250 then collided with a maroon 2006 Ford Focus driven by James Hardy, 62, who was stopped on the east side of the highway at Plumley Road. All three vehicles came to rest on the east side of the Old Glenn Highway.

The male occupant of the Saturn was transported to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center with injuries and the female occupant of the Saturn was transported by LifeFlight to Providence with serious injuries.

Impairment is not believed to be a factor in this collision, according to trooper dispatches.

Just before noon in Wasilla on Wednesday, troopers responded to a collision on East Seldon Road near the entrance to Teeland Middle School.

Investigation revealed that a green, 2000 Ford Escort, operated by Sierra Woodall, 18, of Wasilla was traveling eastbound on Seldon, when she crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a black, 2014 Dodge truck, operated by Richard Meany, 50, of Wasilla, who was traveling westbound.

Woodall had to be extricated from her vehicle before being transported via LifeFlight from the scene to an Anchorage hospital, according to trooper public information officer Megan Peters. Woodall was vocal and alert after removal from the vehicle, but left in critical condition, Peters said. The road was closed for at least 45 minutes.

A trooper on scene was “pretty confident” that no alcohol or drugs were involved, Peters said.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene and an investigation continues.