Alaska News

1 dead, 2 hurt in Seward Highway crash near Portage

A single-vehicle crash Monday night on the Seward Highway in the Portage area killed the driver and left his two passengers injured, Alaska State Troopers said.

The driver was identified as 27-year-old Kevin Hammond of Nikiski, according to an online dispatch.

Word of the wreck, near Mile 81 of the highway, reached troopers at about 7 p.m. Monday. Troopers and Anchorage Fire Department medics responded to the scene.

"Investigation revealed (Hammond) was driving a 1997 Chevrolet truck southbound when he crossed the center line, went into the opposite ditch, hitting a power pole and flipping the vehicle," troopers wrote. "Hammond was later extricated from the vehicle and pronounced deceased."

Both of Hammond's passengers — Kenai resident Dominic Ronellenfitch, 21, and Nikiski resident Jonah Rosado, 22 — were taken to Anchorage hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

One lane of the Seward Highway was closed in the area for several hours but was reopened to traffic at about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Chris Klint

Chris Klint is a former ADN reporter who covered breaking news.

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