A police officer in an SUV slammed into a teacher driving a compact car in East Anchorage this morning, then helped save her life after she was thrown from the car.
The collision, which also involved a third car, shut down traffic at the Tudor-Muldoon curve, said Lt. Nancy Reeder, traffic unit commander. All lanes are now open.
Four people were involved in the accident, Reeder said. None of the injuries was considered life-threatening.
Sgt. Chris Sims, who is with the police department's gang unit and is a paramedic, was driving an unmarked Ford Expedition northbound when it smashed into an AMC Pacer driven by Ilona Marie Richey, a 53-year-old teacher at SAVE alternative high school.
Richey was pulling onto the Tudor-Muldoon curve from Regal Mountain Drive when the collision occurred at 6:38 a.m., Reeder said. Sims, trying to avoid her, struck the Pacer in the engine area instead of in the passenger door, Reeder said.
The T-bone crash ejected Richey from the car, Reeder said. She may have flown through the window or the door, Reeder said. Both were smashed open by the impact.
Richey, lying on the ground with head, chest and shoulder injuries, had no pulse, Reeder said. The police officer, who had back and neck injuries, cleared her airways and revived her, Reeder said. Later, Richey was conscious and talking with doctors.
“Amazingly, she has no broken bones,” Reeder said.
A pickup truck with two people traveling southbound also struck the Pacer after the initial collision. Those victims suffered minor injuries, Reeder said. Their names were not immediately released.
Victims have been transported to local hospitals. Sims is not considered to be seriously injured, Reeder said.
Richey was not wearing a seat belt, Reeder said.
Contact reporter Alex deMarban at ademarban@adn.com or 257-4310.
