Early morning accident on Parks Hwy claims life

Early Monday morning, Alaska State Troopers responded to a report of a semi-truck vs. pickup truck head-on collision at mile marker 73 Parks Highway in Willow. According to an AST dispatch, Trooper investigation revealed a head-on collision between a 2015 Peterbilt and a 2005 Nissan Titan.

While AST was responding to the initial accident, a second semi-truck collided with the 2015 Peterbilt, but no additional injuries were reported. On-scene investigation revealed heavy snow accumulation, marked by a two-foot berm in the middle of the highway, and white-out conditions were major contributing factors in the incident.

A passenger in the Nissan Titan, later identified as Ethan Bettes, age 19 of Talkeetna, was killed in the collision. The drivers sustained minor injuries. All parties were wearing seatbelts. Neither alcohol nor drugs are suspected. Next of Kin has been notified.

Investigation into this incident is ongoing.