Glenn Highway accident stops rush hour traffic

PALMER — Traffic came to a halt on the Glenn Highway across from Echo Lake just as rush hour traffic began on dangerous roads.

A layer of ice magnified the danger of the thick ice fog that fell over the Valley. Around 5:30 p.m., a Dodge pickup traveling southbound on the Glenn crossed over to the northbound lane of traffic and struck a Chrysler 300. Both drivers denied medical attention and were the only passengers in the vehicles. The Dodge flipped over in the ditch and the Chrysler was left incapacitated in the roadway. Traffic for commuters was stopped going back into the Valley until the Chrysler was removed from the roadway.

Alaska State Trooper Daron Cooper estimated that 200 cars were waiting in line behind the accident.