Collisions claim 2 on Valley roads over weekend

MAT-SU -- The first week of the new year proved deadly on local highways with two Valley residents killed in separate motor vehicle collisions.

Margaret Desjarlais, 40, was driving a minivan north Friday evening on the Glenn Highway near Sutton when she crossed the center line and struck a tractor-trailer head on, Alaska State Troopers said. The truck driver was not injured but Desjarlais died at the scene.

Another head-on collision was reported at 3:30 p.m. Saturday when Anne Rose Carter, 21, of Houston, drove into the oncoming lane of the Parks Highway and struck a Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Jeremy Rein, 25, of Anchorage.

Troopers said Carter was pronounced dead at the scene and Rein was taken to Valley Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. Both wore seat belts, troopers said.

Trooper spokesman Greg Wilkinson said there was still no word Monday as to what caused Desjarlais to drift into the southbound lane of the Glenn Highway. The fiery crash blocked the highway for more than an hour.

Employees at Valley Hospital were dealing Monday with the loss of a woman described as a friend as well as valued co-worker. Desjarlais had worked at the hospital for a year and a half, and was most recently a member of materials management department.

She dealt with many people in that capacity, said hospital spokeswoman Elizabeth Ripley.

"We are really shocked and distressed by this," Ripley said. "She was a friend to many people here. She was upbeat and helpful to everyone.

"We're shaken and saddened by Maggie's death and our thoughts are with her family."

The minivan Desjarlais was driving was owned by Valley Hospital, and the woman was working at the time of the crash, Ripley said. Troopers said the vehicle's air bag deployed. They called the minivan a total loss.

Troopers said the truck was owned by K & L Distributors Inc. of Anchorage. The truck driver ran to Desjarlais' aid after impact, troopers said, but he could see she was deceased.