A Soldotna woman died in a wreck Thursday morning on the Kenai Spur Highway between Kenai and Soldotna, according to Alaska State Troopers.

Troopers shut down the highway at Mile 3.5, near Pickle Hill, for several hours.

Multiple people called 911 to report a collision between a car and a van about 7:50 a.m., troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said. Neither vehicle had passengers other than the drivers, Peters said.

Investigators learned that 21-year-old Soldotna resident Shelby Gillins was driving north in a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt when she lost control and slid sideways, according to a written statement from troopers. A 2002 Ford Windstar minivan headed the opposite direction, driven by 56-year-old Kenai resident Sharon Efta, smashed into Gillins' car, troopers said.

Medics rushed Efta to a hospital and pronounced Gillins dead at the scene of the crash, Peters said.

The investigation continues, troopers said.

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