One injured another jailed after pair of ATV crashes

MAT-SU — An all-terrain vehicle collided with a pickup not six hours before a different ATV collided with a car, resulting in much different outcomes for the drivers.

Both crashes were on July 12. The first, and more serious crash, was reported at 10:44 a.m. on Grand Avenue in Sutton. Angela S. Larsell, 39, was pulling out of her driveway in a 2003 Dodge Dakota and didn’t see the 2010 Polaris side-by-side ATV, troopers say.

The driver of the ATV, Scott A. Langham, 42, of Sutton, wasn’t wearing a helmet or the seat belt that comes standard in that kind of ATV, according to troopers.

“Langham had serious face and head trauma as a result of the collision,” troopers report. He was airlifted to Anchorage in serious but stable condition. Troopers say the speed he was traveling contributed to the severity of the injuries.

Larsell was not hurt but was ticketed for not yielding. Troopers estimate damage to her Dodge at $2,000 and damage to the Polaris at $1,000.

“Troopers would like to remind residents ATVs are not allowed to be operated on public roadways and (extend) a reminder to wear and use safety equipment when operating ATVs,” the press release states.

The second crash was reported at 4:29 p.m. at Hollywood Road and Elkins Street.

Susan G. Legalley, 53, of Wasilla, was turning left in a 2003 Subaru Legacy and didn’t see a Polaris ATV driven by Shawn M. Soule, 31, of Wasilla, according to troopers.

“Soule was thrown from the ATV suffering minor injuries and reported he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash,” troopers report.

Soule was hospitalized at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center for observation.

Legalley was not hurt but was cited for not yielding the right of way when turning left.

Soule was arrested for drunken driving. Troopers report he’s been convicted of drunken driving twice in the past 10 years, making this charge a felony offense.

He was jailed at the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility pending arraignment. Jail records Monday showed he was still behind bars but had been moved to the Palmer Correctional Center.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.