Labor Day weekend on the peninsula concluded on a tragic note, with 2 vehicle accidents, and at least 1 fatality along the Sterling Highway.
Shortly before 3pm on Monday, Alaska State Troopers responded to a two vehicle, head on collision close to highway milepost 71.5, near Watson Lake. Once on the scene, Troopers determined a southbound, red 1998 Ford Explorer, driven by Theodore Zielicke, age 57 of Wisconsin, crossed the center line and collided with a white 2022 Toyota Corolla. The Corolla was driven by Keith Cooke, age 66 of North Carolina.
Multiple people, including both drivers, suffered serious injury as a result of the accident, and were taken from the scene by emergency responders. One of Zielicke’s passengers, Wanda Cook, age 59 of Wisconsin, was pronounced deceased on scene as a result of her injuries.
The Sterling High way was closed in both directions for approximately 4 hours while troopers investigated the scene. Traffic was diverted along Skilak Lake Road until the vehicles and debris were removed from the road, and crash victims transported to medical facilities.
Around the same time, another vehicle accident was reported near mile 100 of the Sterling Highway, near the intersection of Echo Lake Road. Traffic was halted on both directions of the highway while emergency responders were on the scene.
Medical helicopters were dispatched to both accidents.
Investigations into both incidents are ongoing.