The occupants of three vehicles walked away from a Monday crash on the Parks Highway near Cantwell that Alaska State Troopers say began with an illegal attempt to pass a semi truck.
Troopers said in a Wednesday dispatch that they received a report of the crash at about 11:15 a.m. Monday. The collision at about Mile 200 of the Parks involved three drivers: 26-year-old Fairbanks resident Samuel J. Clark, at the wheel of a Ford F-250 pickup headed north, as well as 45-year-old Nathan Pederson of Chugiak and 72-year-old Henry S. Bartos of North Pole.
"Clark attempted to pass a semi by crossing a double yellow line but failed to see a southbound semi driven by (Pederson)," troopers wrote. "Clark's vehicle collided with Pederson's semi and the grill guard was ripped from the semi and thrown into a northbound Toyota Sienna, driven by (Bartos)."
Of the three vehicles, troopers said, only Pederson's semi was able to make a controlled stop on the highway. Clark's pickup -- later deemed a total loss -- and Bartos' minivan both ended up in the highway's east-side ditch.
Everyone in the vehicles involved was wearing a seat belt, and Clark was treated by medics at the scene for minor cuts.
Troopers cited Clark for driving left of center in a no-passing zone as well as failing to exercise due care to avoid a collision.