Anchorage man dies from injuries suffered in crash on Wasilla-area road called dangerous

An Anchorage man who was seriously injured in a collision in Wasilla on New Year’s Eve has died, police said Wednesday.

David Bybee, 73, was one of the drivers involved in a two-vehicle collision near Mile 2 of Knik-Goose Bay Road around 11:10 p.m. Dec. 31, Wasilla police said.

One of the drivers and five passengers from the vehicles were taken to Mat-Su Regional Hospital, police said at the time. The other driver and a passenger were airlifted to Anchorage for treatment.

Wasilla police said Wednesday that Bybee died from his injuries.

No citations were issued at the scene. An investigation was continuing, police said.

Knik-Goose Bay Road, known in the area as “KGB,” has a rate of fatal crashes nearly four times the national average. In the last five years, there have been at least 250 accidents and 17 fatalities.

A four-lane upgrade to the road, stretching from the Palmer-Wasilla Highway to Settlers Bay, has been delayed for years by budget concerns. The Alaska Department of Transportation plans to make minor repairs this summer, but substantial changes may not happen until 2021, officials said in a December town hall meeting.

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