Wasilla officer killed in crash

WASILLA -- A Wasilla man died on Tuesday after the prison van he was driving collided with a semi-truck less than 20 miles from his destination.

At about 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Alaska State Troopers received a report that a Department of Corrections prisoner transport van had collided with a semi-truck at Mile 18.8 Seward Hwy. According to troopers' reports, Prisoner Transport Officer James Hesterberg, 48, of Wasilla, died at the scene of the accident from his injuries.

Hesterberg and his partner Dennis Nilsen, 49, of Eagle River, were reportedly transferring seven inmates from Palmer to the maximum-security Spring Hill Correctional Center in Seward when they collided with the big truck on the snow and slush covered Seward Highway.

Troopers reported that Hesterberg and four of the inmates died at the scene, while Nilsen and the three surviving inmates were taken to Providence Seward Medical Center. According to a spokesperson at the hospital, Nilsen was treated for his injuries and discharged.

Inmates killed in the crash were Alphonsis Damian, 37, of Anchorage; William Olanna, 39, of Anchorage; Moses Usugan, 40, no hometown given; and Martin Fife, 33, of Anchorage. The surviving inmates are David Jackson, 35, of Juneau, said to be in stable condition in Seward, John Powell, 40, of Homer, reported to be in stable condition in Anchorage, and a 36-year-old inmate said to be in critical condition in Anchorage.

Troopers investigating the crash determined Wednesday that the commercial semi-truck crossed the center line, with the rear drive wheels of the truck striking the driver's side of the van. A gouge in the asphalt at the scene shows where the van was pushed into the blacktop by the impact. According to reports, the investigation is ongoing. More interviews are expected to be done, an examination of the truck will be completed, and the physical condition of the driver will be determined. The truck was said to be pulling an empty "tiger tank" from Seward to Soldotna.

According to Department of Corrections spokesman Bruce Richards, PTOs are not assigned to a particular facility, but are dispatched from the central office in Anchorage as needed to transport prisoners. Richards said inmates must be transported from one place to another for a variety of reasons, including court dates and doctors' appointments. Prisoners who have been sentenced must be moved from the pre-trial facilities to prisons such as the one located at Seward in order to begin serving their sentences.

"That includes air transport," said Richards, adding that PTOs must also accompany prisoners headed for facilities in Arizona.