The pursuit of a vehicle evading Seward Police, and Alaska State Troopers Sunday evening, July 23rd, ended in a vehicle collision on the Seward Highway, and multiple people hospitalized.
The accident occurred at mile 13 of the Seward highway, and shut down both lanes for approximately 6 hours Sunday night.
At 5:09 pm that evening the Alaska State Troopers were notified by the Seward Police Department of an ongoing pursuit involving a vehicle in Seward. Prior to the pursuit, Seward Police Department received multiple REDDI reports (Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately) that the vehicle was driving erratically, had nearly struck pedestrians, and was driving in the wrong lane of travel. Troopers responded to the area to assist.
Prior to Alaska State Trooper’s arrival, the vehicle was able to elude the pursuing officers in the Seward area.
Later, Troopers received a report of a dangerous driver in the area of mile 4 of the Seward Highway, matching the description of the earlier suspect vehicle. The vehicle was reportedly driving recklessly, and in the wrong lane of travel. Troopers were able to locate the vehicle, a blue 2006 Toyota Corolla, near mile 10. A marked Alaska State Trooper patrol vehicle attempted to stop the Corolla. When the vehicle failed to stop, the Trooper initiated a pursuit due to the extreme danger the driver presented to the other drivers on the Seward Highway.
Moments later, the fleeing Toyota Corolla collided with another vehicle traveling in the southbound lane near mile 13 of the Seward Highway. Both adult male occupants of the Corolla were ejected from their vehicle. They were subsequently medevaced to an Anchorage area hospital with serious injuries.
The sole adult male occupant of the southbound vehicle was taken to a Seward area hospital in stable condition. The Seward Highway was closed for approximately 6 hours as Troopers documented the scene and cleared the damaged vehicles.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
If you had to take evasive actions to avoid a blue 2006 Toyota Corolla on the Seward Highway on July 23, between 4 pm and 6 pm, or have a photo or video of this vehicle driving recklessly, please reach out to the Alaska State Troopers at (907) 262-4453.