Alaska State Troopers report a fatal motor vehicle crash happened at mile 12.5 of the Seward Highway near Seward Friday evening around 4:45 p.m.
An investigation revealed that 58-year-old William Hagood of Palmer was driving his 2019 Ford Escape southbound when 30-year-old Alex Schmelzenbach of Sterling, driving a Pacific Star Seafoods International flat-bed truck northbound, lost control of the truck on slick pavement, crossed the center line and hit the Ford Escape.
Hagood was transported by Seward EMS to Seward Providence ER after being extracted from his vehicle by Bear Creek Volunteer Fire personnel. He later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 8:30 p.m. Schmelzenbach declined EMS aid at the scene.
After scene documentation was complete, a lengthy clean-up of the roadway was conducted due to 200 fresh whole cod and 40 gallons of diesel fuel was spilled at the scene. Alaska State Troopers were assisted at the scene by National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service rangers.
Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash. An investigation is ongoing.
