Man dies in head-on off-road collision

WASILLA — One man is dead following a head-on accident on an off-road trail near Mile 5.5, Knik-Goose Bay Road Friday.

Alaska State Troopers and LifeMed air ambulance responded after a man riding a motorcycle collided with a man driving a Polaris Razor ATV near Shady Lane Friday evening, spokesperson Megan Peters said.

She said the two men were headed in opposite directions down the trail when they collided. Peters said a hill blocked the men’s view, and that neither could have seen the other coming. “They had a very unfortunate meeting at the top of the hill.”

A subsequent trooper press release words it thusly, “The two, not knowing the other was traveling in their path, both rode up a hill. The motorcycle and Razor collided at the top of the hill.”

Motorcyclist Brett Ray, 26, of Wasilla was wearing a helmet and protective gear, but died of his injuries, Peters said.

Troopers identified the driver of the Razor as Ryan Blankenship, 24, of Wasilla. He was unhurt in the crash.

Brother of the deceased, Brandon Ray, said Brett was very safety conscious when riding off-road.

"He had on a helmet, chest protector and riding boots," his brother said.

Since Brett's death on Friday, Ray said the family has noticed people commenting online that the off-road trails should be closed down as a result.

"That's the last thing he'd want," Ray said. "He would actually want people to still be able to go out and ride."

Peters described the incident as a tragedy off-road.

“It looks like they were out to have a good time and were being safe about it,” she said.

Although the accident happened on a trail 75 to 100 feet away from the road, Knik-Goose Bay Road was closed briefly during evening traffic Friday while emergency crews tended the injured and troopers processed the accident scene, Peters said.

Contact managing editor Heather A. Resz at 352-2268 or heather.resz@frontierman.com.