Alaska News

2 head-on collisions in Kodiak injure drivers, passengers

Two head-on collisions within miles of each other in Kodiak hospitalized drivers and passengers and totaled vehicles in snowy weather the day before Christmas, Alaska State Troopers said Thursday

One wreck occurred at 3:36 p.m. Tuesday when Brianna Gibbs, 23, of Kodiak lost control of her 2003 Honda SUV while traveling southbound near Mile 8 Chiniak Highway, troopers said. She swerved into the northbound lane and collided with a 2004 Ford truck driven by Ryan Bateman, 25, of Fairbanks, according to troopers.

Troopers spokeswoman Beth Ipsen described weather conditions as "horrible," with blowing snow limiting visibility to between a quarter and one-eighth of a mile.

"The roads were slick with snow and slush. The winds were creating snowdrifts on the road," Ipsen said. "Troopers had a hard enough time standing up while on scene due to the force of the wind."

Troopers, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Kodiak Fire Department and emergency medical services responded to the accident.

Troopers said Gibbs and a passenger in the truck were taken to Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center with injuries. Both vehicles were totaled, according to troopers.

At about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, an SUV and pickup collided at Mile 2 Chiniak Highway, troopers said. Rogelio Hernandez, 26, of Nevada crossed the center lane of the highway in his 2008 Nissan Rogue and collided head-on with a 2003 Dodge Ram truck driven by Anthony Trout, 51, of Kodiak, troopers said.

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Troopers, the Kodiak police and fire departments and the U.S. Cost Guard responded.

Troopers said Hernandez, Trout and a passenger were taken to Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center with injuries. Both vehicles were totaled, according to troopers.

Troopers spokeswoman Beth Ipsen could not immediately provide details about the extent of the injuries suffered in the collisions.

NOTE: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the time of one car accident. It occurred at 3:36 p.m., not a.m.

By TEGAN HANLON

thanlon@adn.com

Tegan Hanlon

Tegan Hanlon was a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News between 2013 and 2019. She now reports for Alaska Public Media.

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