A 16-year-old Palmer girl died after a dump truck slammed into the driver's side of the sedan she was driving across the Old Glenn Highway on Wednesday, Alaska State Troopers said.

Christa E. Russell was behind the wheel of a white 2002 Toyota Camry. She was stopped at Bodenburg Loop and was about to drive east across the highway at about noon, troopers said. She pulled in front of a southbound dump truck, troopers said.

The roughly 20-ton 1999 Kenworth dump truck, driven by Wasilla resident Jacob Fortman, hit Russell's car. Rescuers loaded her in a helicopter bound for Mat-Su Regional Hospital, where she died a short time later, troopers said.

Troopers said both drivers were wearing seat belts. Both vehicles were considered a total loss. The state Medical Examiner's Office was expected to examine Russell's body and the investigation continues, troopers said.

Reach Casey Grove at casey.grove@adn.com or 257-4589.