Crime & Courts

Anchorage police: Woman killed in apparent hit-and-run

Anchorage police say a woman was killed early Friday morning after a hit-and-run in the Mountain View neighborhood and they are asking the public for information on a car that left the scene.

At 1:37 p.m., police responded to reports of a woman lying in the street near the intersection of Mountain View Drive and North Park Street, according to a statement from the Anchorage Police Department.

Police identified the woman as 39-year-old Claudia Kuzakin. Kuzakin was taken to the hospital, where she was soon declared dead, police said.

In a statement late Friday afternoon, police released a fuzzy, dark photograph of an SUV they say was involved in the incident. Police described the car as a "full-size SUV, white or light color, possibly a Chevrolet Tahoe or similar."

Renee Oistad, APD spokeswoman, said police were not providing details on where the photograph came from. She said no witnesses of the crash had come forward as of 5 p.m.

"The Anchorage Police Department understands drivers involved in such incidents may panic and react in a manner contrary to their true character by fleeing the scene," said a statement from police. "Drivers are reminded when involved in collision involving death or physical injury they are obligated to render assistance to the injured person(s)."

Police asked anyone with information on the car's driver or any passengers to call them at 907-786-8900. Callers can submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 907-561-STOP.

Jerzy Shedlock

Jerzy Shedlock is a former reporter for Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2017.

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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