Crash critically injures 2, closes Parks Sunday

CASWELL — A head-on crash between a pair of SUVs landed three people in the hospital Sunday afternoon, two with critical injuries.

According to Alaska State Troopers, the crash between a Dodge Dakota and a Jeep Commander pulling a pop-up trailer was reported at 1:34 p.m., at Mile 81.2, Parks Highway.

“The Dodge was headed northbound when it crossed the centerline and the other lane of traffic and drove into a little pull-out area on the other side of the road at highway speeds. The Dakota then hit (the) guardrail, that pushed the Dakota back into oncoming traffic and into the path of the SUV,” trooper spokeswoman Beth Ipsen said in an email.

The driver of the Dakota, David Ulvestad, 48, of Talkeetna, was flown to Anchorage in critical condition; however, Ipsen said, he was doing better Monday.

In the Jeep, Lisa Ellison, 44, of Anchorage, was the driver and Julie Vogus-Richards, 39, of Eagle River the passenger.

Vogus-Richards also was in critical condition and also flown to Anchorage. Ellison was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

Ipsen said Ellison didn’t have time to avoid the crash and that the trailer she was towing wound up in the middle of the highway, closing traffic for three hours.

Ipsen said Monday afternoon that the investigating trooper is still “waiting for another trooper from Anchorage to interview Ulvestad at the hospital.” The cause of the crash is still under investigation.