Rural Alaska

Akiachak woman dies when struck by ATV

A 76-year-old pedestrian was killed in the Western Alaska village of Akiachak late Friday when she was struck by an all-terrain vehicle, Alaska State Troopers said.

Word of the collision just before midnight involving two Akiachak residents – victim Ruth Lomack and driver Katherine Noatak, 25, who was also injured in the crash – first reached Bethel troopers about an hour later, according to a Monday dispatch. The Kuskokwim River community of about 700 people is 18 miles northeast of Bethel.

"Lomack was pronounced deceased at the clinic in Akiachak," troopers wrote. "Noatak was transported to Bethel by a medevac flight for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash."

Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said in an email that Lomack was walking along a road locals call Front Street when she was struck.

Lomack's death remains under investigation, with no criminal charges filed in the collision as of Monday.

Chris Klint

Chris Klint is a former ADN reporter who covered breaking news.

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