Glenn Highway head-on collision kills Oregon man

PALMER — One driver in a head-on collision near Mile 37, Glenn Highway Saturday has died of his injuries at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.

Alaska State Troopers say Jack K. Watson, 79, of Oregon, was northbound on the Glenn Highway in a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado, towing a 1988 Suzuki Samurai, when he crossed in to opposing traffic.

Watson’s vehicle collided head-on with a 1996 Ford F-150 driven by Alfred W. Nyback, 75, of Eagle River, according to a trooper dispatch statement.

Both drivers were entrapped in their vehicles and required extraction assistance from emergency crews.

LifeMed transported Nyback to Alaska Regional Hospital with serious injury. And Watson was taken by ground ambulance to the Palmer where he later died of his injuries, according to troopers.

Alaska State Troopers and Palmer emergency and rescue crews responded to the accident scene near the entrance to Kepler Park at 2:54, May 16.

The Glenn Highway was closed for several hours Saturday while emergency crews tended the injured and troopers investigated.

Troopers say Watson and Nyback were both wearing safety belts and alcohol/drugs are not believed to be contributing factors in the collision.