Emergency Services investigate fatal crash that closed the Seward Highway

By Hannah Dillon

TNews Associate Editor

(Graphic courtesy of Anchorage Police Department)

First reports of the Seward Highway closure began around noon on July 20. From approximately 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. northbound and southbound lanes were closed as the Anchorage Police Department responded to calls regarding the collision. 

The collision investigation greatly restricted the flow of traffic as emergency personnel investigated the incident at Mile 114 in Potter Marsh.

Originally, the Anchorage Police Department made an online post indicating that they were responding to a “serious injury vehicle crash” where commuters could expect “significant delays for several hours.”

Upon further development, APD publicly released information regarding the crash and vehicle occupant condition. Initial indications were that a male driver of a Kia crossed a double yellow line and collided head-on with a Ford F150 that contained two adult occupants.

The Anchorage Police Department said in an online update at 5:40 p.m. “The adult male driver of the Kia was declared deceased at the scene; he was the only occupant in his vehicle. Both adult occupants of the Ford F150 were transported to a hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The cause of the collision remains under investigation. Alcohol is believed to be a factor on behalf of the Kia’s driver.”

According to an APD social media update, all lanes of the Seward Highway are open as of 6:37 p.m..