Truck vs. semi crash sends two to hospital

WASILLA — Icy roads and falling snow near Big Lake contributed to a collision between a semi truck and a black Ford pickup Tuesday morning that left a Wasilla woman in critical condition and her husband seriously injured.

Alaska State Troopers responded to the Parks Highway’s intersection with Margin Way on the outskirts of Wasilla about 11 a.m. after hearing reports of the wreck.

According to a trooper dispatch, a semi heading south driven by Carl Wilbur, 72, of Wasilla, jackknifed when it slowed to avoid another vehicle that had pulled onto the highway. The semi then collided with a northbound Ford F-150 driven by Beverly Marple, 68, of Wasilla.

Beverly Marple had to be extricated from the vehicle and was being treated for what authorities said were life-threatining injuries. Her husband and sole passenger, Allen Marple, 71, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Wilbur was uninjured.

The highway was shut down while emergency personnel responded to the crash. Some vehicles were able to get around using a side road, and the highway was completely reopened at around 3:15 p.m.

Troopers said the cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Here's the complete trooper dispatch:

On 11/3/2015 at approximately 1101 hours, Alaska State troopers received a report of a two vehicle collision at mile 51 of the Parks Highway. A semi-tractor trailer, driven by Carl Wilbur, 72 of Wasilla, was heading southbound. The semi reportedly lost control and jackknifed when it was slowing down to avoid another vehicle that had pulled out on highway. A Ford F-150 pickup was heading northbound and collided into the side of the semi. The driver of the F-150, Beverly Marple, 68 of Wasilla, was entrapped. She was extricated and transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. The passenger of the F-150, Allen Marple, 71 of Wasilla, was reportedly seriously injured as well and transported for treatment. Wilbur did not report injuries. Investigation is ongoing. Traffic was able to be diverted around the crash site during the response. The highway was fully opened at approximately 1515 hours.