Palmer Driver Severely Injured in Old Glenn Highway Collision

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A Palmer driver was severely injured Wednesday afternoon when her Toyota Camry collided with a dump truck at an intersection on the Old Glenn Highway, according to Alaska State Troopers.

An AST dispatch Wednesday evening said troopers were informed of the collision at about 12:15 p.m. and responded to the scene, near Mile 12.5 of the Old Glenn at its intersection with Bodenburg Loop, along with state commercial vehicle enforcement officials and paramedics.

The Camry’s driver and sole occupant, 16-year-old Christa Russell, was flown by air ambulance to an Anchorage hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries. No injuries were reported to the dump truck’s driver, 39-year-old Jacob Fortman of Chugiak.

Mat-Su Valley dispatchers said Wednesday night that the Old Glenn was temporarily closed during the response to the crash, but was subsequently reopened.

An investigation into the cause of the crash is in progress.