FROM THE BLOTTER: Accident on Glenn shuts one lane

PALMER — A relatively dramatic car crash on the Glenn Highway slowed traffic for over an hour Sunday, Alaska State Troopers report.

According to a trooper press statement, the accident was reported at 3:03 p.m. at Mile 33 of the highway.

Apparently Austen Krick, 21, of Palmer, was southbound in the outside lane driving a blue 1998 Ford Explorer when he lost control trying to pass a slower vehicle.

Troopers say the Explorer started to fishtail, crossed the inside lane, hit the guardrail and flipped.

Rikki Coleman, 22, of Wasilla, was in that inside lane with three children in car seats in her 2001 Jeep Cherokee. When Krick rolled, Coleman couldn’t avoid him and smashed into his SUV. Both SUVs then went into the guardrail.

Troopers say the highway was down to one lane of travel for more than an hour. Krick was treated on scene for minor injuries. Coleman and the children were unhurt.

Reward offered

in theft

WASILLA — Mat-Su Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to the capture of whoever stole tools and 150 gallons of fuel from a paint and drywall supply company.

According to troopers, the burglary at Wesgro Paint and Drywall Supply on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway near Trunk Road was reported at 8:40 a.m. on Dec. 11.

Someone broke in through an exterior fence and forced their way into the building. Items missing in the burglary include a 149-piece Craftsman tool set, 50 gallons of gasoline, 100 gallons of diesel and five gallons of diesel additive.

Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call Mat-Su Crime Stoppers at 745-3333, submit a tip via the Web at matsu-crimestoppers.org, or send a text message to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword MATSU followed by a tip.

Rescue crew finds lost snowmachiners

TRAPPER CREEK — Locals in the Petersville area were able to find three lost Anchorage snowmachiners before troopers had to pull out more serious search efforts.

According to a trooper report, the snowmachiners were reported lost at 4:06 p.m. Saturday.

The three men were Brian Wiles, 22, Jacob Vohs, 20, and Stephen Brown, 19. They were able to let troopers know a little bit about where they were.

Troopers called on Petersville Search and Rescue volunteers who organized a ground search and, at 9:20 p.m., found the three men none of whom were injured. They were escorted safely back to their vehicle.