Update, 10:50 Sunday, June 10: Anchorage police have identified the man who died in Saturday morning's head-on collision on the Seward Highway as Jesse Zaugg, 34.
Original story:
One man died and two people were injured after two vehicles collided early Saturday morning on the Seward Highway near Bird Creek, Anchorage police said.
Patrol officers responded to a report of a collision at Mile 101 of the Seward Highway at about 12:25 a.m. Saturday, the Anchorage Police Department said in an alert. A Volvo station wagon heading southbound came into oncoming traffic, crashing into a northbound Chrysler 200 head-on, according to a preliminary investigation.
The man driving the Volvo was declared dead at the scene, and the Chrysler's driver and passenger — both adults — were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Officials said all people involved were wearing seat belts.
The identity of the deceased will be released after the man's next of kin is notified, police said.
"At this time it is unknown whether speed, alcohol, or drugs were a factor in this collision. More information will be available pending investigation results," police said in the alert.
The northbound and southbound lanes of the highway were closed at the scene of the crash for a few hours, with all lanes cleared and open again at about 6:30 a.m., police said.