Fatal vehicle crash on Parks Highway kills 3

(Updated 8:45 a.m. Wednesday)

WASILLA — Alaska State Troopers said three people died on Tuesday night in a two-vehicle collision on the Parks Highway near Rainbow Street in Meadow Lakes.

According to troopers, Sara Johnston, 25, was driving north on the Parks when the 1996 Lincoln Town Car she was driving crossed the center line and struck a 1995 GMC Safari van driven by Jacob Still, 33. The van then burst into flames. Johnston — who troopers said wasn’t wearing a seatbelt — was killed in the crash, as were two passengers in the van who were not identified.

The crash occurred shortly after 9 p.m.

Troopers said next of kin had been notified, and it wasn't immediately clear why the two passengers weren’t named in the dispatch released early Wednesday morning.

The highway was briefly closed before authorities were able to route traffic around the scene.

This is a developing story; check back for updates.

Original story:

WASILLA — At least one person has been killed in a vehicle crash near mile 50 of the Parks Highway. Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said authorities were notified at around 9:06 p.m. of a two-vehicle wreck in which one of the vehicles caught fire.

"At approximately 2106 hours, the Alaska State Troopers in Wasilla were notified of a two vehicle wreck at milepost 50 of the Parks. After the collision, one vehicle caught fire. There is at least one fatality," Peters wrote in an email sent Tuesday night.

Peters didn't immediately provide any information about other possible injuries or fatalities and said updates would be posted via dispatches on the troopers' website.

News of the wreck made its way as far as Tuesday night's borough assembly meeting, where it briefly interrupted the end-of-meeting comments.

Emergency Services Director Bill Gamble said motorists should expect delays.

"The Parks is going to be slowed down or shut down for hours while the investigation continues," he said.

At 9:46 p.m. the Alaska Department of Transportation issued the following bulletin saying the highway was closed but that traffic was being rerouted around the crash scene:

"Accident on PARKS HIGHWAY from MP 50 to MP 51 Slow traffic, be prepared to stop, emergency vehicles on road, thank you for your patience. Comments: Detour route Rainbow Street to Mallard Lane to Swan Road. Double trailers may have difficult passing."

This is a developing story, check back for details.