A 19-year-old Emmonak man is dead and another is in a Bethel hospital following a Tuesday morning snowmachine crash in the village of Emmonak on the Yukon River.
Alaska State Troopers reported 19-year-old Steven Levi was roaring past the Kwik Pak Fisheries Dock on his Polaris just after midnight when he collided with 19-year-old Steve Lukudak, who was walking along the river. Lukudak died at the scene. Levi was apparently going so fast that the force of Lukudak's body flying over the cowling caused serious injury.
"...Levi was transported to Bethel via Life Med for injuries sustained during the collision,'' a trooper statement said. "Levi was operating the snow machine while under the influence of alcohol." The incident remains under investigation, according to troopers, who have not charged Levi with any crime at this time.
Alaska, according to Alaska Snowrider magazine, is the nation's per capita leader for snowmachine deaths and accidents.