Sutton man killed in fatal car crash

SUTTON — One man died in a three-vehicle accident near Mile 64.5, Glenn Highway Wednesday afternoon.

Alaska State Troopers Patrol and members of the Mat-Su Bureau of Highway Patrol Team responded and their investigation found that Michael Jenkins, 34, of Sutton, was driving south on the highway when his 1999 Mercury passenger car crossed the centerline and collided with the left front of a northbound 2003 GMC 2500 truck operated by Lee Weikert, 41, of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Behind Weikert traveling north was a 2002 white Chevrolet van driven by Jeremiah Bass, 32, of Sutton, according to a trooper dispatch. When Weikert and Jenkins’ vehicle collided, Bass moved into the southbound lane in an attempt to avoid the collision.

His vehicle then collided with Jenkins driver's door and pushed the vehicle to the side of the roadway where both vehicles came to a stop on the shoulder of the southbound lane, troopers report.

Jenkins died as a result of the collision and an autopsy will be done to determine the cause of death, troopers say.

Weikert was taken to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Wasilla for treatment and Bass was treated on scene and released.

The 1999 Mercury and GMC were totaled. The van’s damage is estimated at $5,000. All three drivers were wearing seat belts.

Traffic on the Glenn Highway was stopped for approximately 45 minutes while troopers diagramed the scene.

Troopers say they don’t know yet whether drugs or alcohol was a contributing factor in the fatal crash.