Mat-Su

Driver dead, 2 hurt in Parks Highway pickup truck rollover

An Eagle River woman died and two other people were injured on Thursday afternoon, Alaska State Troopers say, when their pickup truck wrecked on the Parks Highway near Trapper Creek.

Troopers named driver Karen Benjamin, 31, as the deceased in a Friday dispatch. Mississippi residents Larry Benjamin, 59, and Katherine Benjamin, 61, were the two injured passengers in the crash at Mile 120.5 of the Parks. Troopers were informed of the accident at about 3:45 p.m. Thursday.

"Investigation found the 2008 Ford F-350 was traveling southbound on Parks Highway when it lost control on the icy roadway, crossed the roadway and into the ditch and rolled on to its roof," troopers wrote. "(Karen Benjamin) did not survive the collision. She had been wearing her safety belt."

The Mat-Su Borough's deputy director for emergency services, Ken Barkley, said Friday that the highway was closed shortly after the crash to land a LifeMed air ambulance for one of the passengers.

Troopers said Katherine Benjamin, the truck's backseat passenger, was ejected from the vehicle. She was flown to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage, where she was listed in fair condition Friday morning. Larry Benjamin was extricated from the truck and taken by ground ambulance to the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.

Karen Benjamin's next of kin have been notified, troopers said. Her body will undergo an autopsy at the State Medical Examiner Office in Anchorage.

Chris Klint

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

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