Anchorage Daily News

An Anchorage woman was critically injured in a crash Thursday night after she walked into the road and flagged down a passing vehicle, which triggered the collision, according to police.

Rebecca Tulin, 24, suffered head trauma and was transported to a hospital in critical condition after being struck near Elmore and O'Malley roads about 10:30 p.m., police said. She was initially unresponsive, but her injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.

Police said Tulin and a male companion were walking along O'Malley looking for a home in the area when Tulin walked into the middle of the street and began flagging down a passing SUV.

After the driver, Michelle Faas, stopped to talk to her, the SUV was struck by a westbound sedan, police said.

The driver of the sedan, 21-year-old Larry Rathbone, lost control and his car began to roll across the road, according to police. It struck Tulin and came to a stop on its rooftop.

Rathbone was transported to a hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries and released. A 1-year-old girl in the sedan with him was in a car seat and was not injured, police said. Faas also was not injured.

Police said the investigation was continuing.

Find James Halpin online at adn.com/contact/jhalpin or call him at 257-4589.

ADVERTISEMENT