Wasilla man dies in ATV rollover

KNIK — a 45-year-old Wasilla man died Sunday after the all-terrain vehicle he was riding rolled multiple times before coming to rest on top of him.

A Palmer-based Alaska State Trooper located Daniel A. Merrill, 45, trapped on an ATV trail near the intersection of Knik-Goose Bay Road and Togowoods Drive, according to an AST report.

Merrill was unresponsive and appeared to be deceased, according to a Trooper press release.

Troopers with the Bureau of Highway Patrol, South Central Team and Central Mat-Su Fire and EMS were called to respond to the scene. Central Mat-Su Fire and EMS pronounced Merrill deceased on scene.

Troopers say he was not wearing a helmet during the crash and that alcohol use and traveling on the trail at an unsafe speed appear to also be factors in the death.

The medical examiner responded to the scene and took possession of the body, troopers said. Troopers’ investigation is ongoing.