Troopers release name of injured ATV driver

Frontiersman staff

MAT-SU — Alaska State Troopers with the Bureau of Highway Patrol, Southcentral Team conducted an accident investigation on Tait Drive near E. Citrine Drive Saturday afternoon after a four-door sedan and a Kawasaki all-terrain-vehicle collided.

Troopers were called to the scene at 2:46 p.m., April 30.

LifeMed flew the driver of the ATV, Justin E. Vernola, 30 of Wasilla, to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage with serious head lacerations. He was not wearing a helmet.

The driver of the sedan, Emily R. Hawkins, 21 of Wasilla, was wearing her seat belt and was not injured.

She submitted to a blood test at the scene as a standard procedure.

According to troopers on scene, the ATV was driving on the roadway in front of the vehicle driven by Hawkins. Both were traveling south on Tait Drive.

When Hawkins tried to pass Vernola, he crossed in front of her vehicle, resulting in the vehicle driving over the ATV.

Vernola was thrown from the ATV onto the pavement and both the car and ATV ended up in the ditch.

The investigation is ongoing.