PALMER -- A 58-year-old man from Germany died Tuesday in a collision between his car and a tanker truck on the Parks Highway near Montana Creek, Alaska State Troopers say.
Jurgen Klos was pronounced dead at the scene near Mile 95, troopers said Wednesday. His passenger was airlifted to Providence Alaska Medical Center. The driver of the truck was not injured.
Troopers identified the truck driver as 60-year-old Dale Ax of Big Lake.
A spokesman for the troopers said that Klos’ Nissan Rogue appeared to have crossed the center line, striking a Crowley Fuels tanker truck driven by Ax. He added that there was no vehicle fire or spill from the tanker, and that no additional vehicles were involved in the accident.
"The cause of the crash remains under investigation,” said Ken Marsh, a public information officer with the Alaska State Troopers.
The accident, which occurred just after 7:30 p.m., caused delays on the highway Tuesday evening. The Parks Highway was not fully opened until 2:10 a.m. Wednesday, said Marsh.
The tanker trailer was empty at the time of the the accident, said David DeCamp, a spokesman for Crowley. DeCamp said Crowley is working with state and local authorities investigating the accident.