Driving Alert: Rural Car Wrecks Are Taking Their Toll As Summer Starts

Three people died in only a few days due to car wrecks in rural Alaska. One person died on the Glenn Highway on the western Copper Valley border. Two died in Tok, on the northeastern Copper Valley border.  

GLENN HIGHWAY FATALITY AT MATANUSKA GLACIER

On Tuesday, May 18th, an Eagle River man was killed in a head-on crash near the Matanuska Glacier at Mile 100 of the Glenn Highway.

Derek Koso, 39, was in a 1998 Jeep Cherokee. It crossed over the line into oncoming traffic said Troopers, colliding with a Jeep Compass going in the opposite direction, headed north. It was driven by Charis Gray. Both were medevaced out to the hospital. Koso died at Mat-Su Regional, according to Troopers. 

TWO DEAD IN SINGLE-VEHICLE ROLLOVER IN TOK

On Wednesday, May 19th, 34-year old Alicia Thomas and 58-year old Craig Burns died in an early morning  single vehicle rollover in Tok according to State Troopers. The pair were in a 2008 Ford Ranger. Tok medical personnel assisted at the crash site.

Troopers said alcohol consumption was suspected as a probable factor in the wreck, and that neither one of the victims was wearing seatbelts.