Driver succumbs to injuries from car crash

WILLOW — Alaska State Troopers say that a woman hospitalized after a head-on crash in which she crossed the centerline at Mile 66, Parks Highway, succumbed to her injuries Saturday.

According to a trooper press statement issued Monday afternoon, Leann Rodgers, 55, of Houston, was northbound in her 1996 Toyota Camry when she crossed the line at around 4:30 p.m., Oct. 7. Crossing the line put her in the path of Ronald Palmer, 75, of Wasilla, and his 2005 Volkswagen sedan.

“The collision occurred on a stretch of roadway where guardrails were present on both sides of the road and Palmer attempted to avoid the collision by striking the guardrail, but was unable to fully move out of Rodgers’ way,” troopers report.

Palmer had minor injuries, was treated and released.

He had his seatbelt on and his airbags deployed.

Rodgers, meanwhile, was taken to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center and later sent to Alaska Regional Medical Center in critical condition. She succumbed to her injuries Saturday, according to trooper reports.