A man suspected of driving drunk and crashing his pickup twice Sunday night near Palmer remained hospitalized Monday at an Anchorage hospital, according to Alaska State Troopers.
A call came in about 10 p.m. Sunday reporting a collision between two pickups on Trunk Road near Tern Drive east of Palmer, troopers reported. The crash injured the occupants of both pickups, one a 2008 Ford, the other a 2001 Chevrolet, troopers spokeswoman Beth Ipsen said. The Ford's driver ran off the roadway, and a trooper dog -- K9 Roelle -- later found him hurt and suffering from exposure, troopers said.
Witnesses at the crash scene said the man, whose name has not been released, had lost control earlier while driving on Trunk Road farther to the north, troopers said. The pickup rolled off the road, but landed upright, and the man continued driving until striking the Chevrolet pickup moments later, troopers said.
The occupants of the Chevrolet suffered minor injuries, and Palmer medical technicians treated and released them, troopers said. While troopers initially reported the Ford driver's injuries as not life-threatening, Ipsen, the troopers spokeswoman, said he was listed in critical condition at an Anchorage hospital Monday.
Troopers have not publicly identified the man, because he has not yet been charged with anything, Ipsen said. Alcohol is suspected as a "major factor" in the incident, the troopers statement said.
Reach Casey Grove at casey.grove@adn.com or 257-4589.
By CASEY GROVE