An 11-year-old boy died and several people were injured Wednesday when two vehicles collided near Houston, according to Alaska State Troopers.
Troopers said an SUV was going south on the Parks Highway with three young passengers when a northbound pickup truck crossed into the southbound lane.
The driver of the SUV, 57-year-old Mark Meyer of Palmer, "attempted to avoid colliding" with the pickup, troopers said in an online dispatch. The driver of the truck, 20-year-old Kole Denevan of Wasilla, "attempted to correct" but the vehicles collided.
Troopers said 11-year-old Noah Meyer was thrown from the back seat of the SUV and killed.
There was one adult passenger in the pickup, troopers said.
The collision occurred near Mile 53 of the highway, close to where it intersects with Hawk Lane. It was reported to troopers around 3:40 p.m.
Troopers said three people were taken to the hospital with what were believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said it appeared everyone in the vehicles was wearing a seatbelt.
An investigation of the crash was continuing, troopers said.
Troopers declined to comment Thursday on what potential factors led to the pick-up truck crossing into the southbound lane, citing an ongoing investigation.
The three passengers in the SUV, including Noah Meyer, attended Wasilla Lake Christian School, principal Cheralea Purcell said in an email Thursday evening.
Purcell said one of the students remained in the intensive care unit and the other suffered no injuries.
She said the school canceled classes Thursday due to the collision. School would resume Friday, she said, "with multiple counselors and support staff available to meet with students and families as needed."
"In every way, Noah was a wonderful young man," she said. "We are privileged to have been a part of his life. He will be terribly missed at Wasilla Lake Christian School."