The Alaska State Troopers reported the following incidents. Any charges reported are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Motor Vehicle Collision
GIRDWOOD—July 14 at approximately 3:14 p.m., Troopers responded to a three car collision located at mi. 86.5 Seward Highway (a traffic safety corridor) near Girdwood.
An investigation revealed Jonathon Michael Harmon, age 19 of Arkansas was driving a 2002 Ford Windstar van southbound when he fell asleep at the wheel and drove into the northbound lane of travel. Harmon’s van collided with a 2009 Kia Sedona driven northbound by James O. Segura, age 69 of Kenai. Harmon’s van continued southbound and then collided head-on with a 2008 Toyota 4-Runner driven northbound by Dina Diane Wood, age 38 of Eagle River.
All three vehicles blocked the highway and were totaled. Harmon and his passenger were transported by Girdwood EMS to Girdwood Medical Clinic for minor treatment and later released. Segura received minor injuries and was treated and released on scene by Girdwood EMS. Wood and three passengers in her vehicle sustained minor injuries and were transported to Elmendorf AFB Hospital for treatment.
It is believed all occupants were wearing their seat belts. The highway remained closed for nearly 3 hours during the collision. Harmon was issued citations for Negligent Driving and for No Proof of Liability Insurance.
Warrant Arrest
GIRDWOOD—July 17 at about 1:10 p.m., a Trooper contacted Brian Burr, age 30 of Girdwood, at a Girdwood area business and arrested him on an outstanding $1,000 warrant. He was transported to and remanded at the Anchorage Jail.
Smoking Marijuana While Fishing
GIRDWOOD—July 22 at 3:57 p.m., Troopers contacted Dustin O. Tovsen, age 25 of Anchorage, during an investigation into a report of a fishing violation. During the investigation Troopers observed Tovsen smoking marijuana. Tovsen was issued a summons to appear in court on the charge of Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance 6th Degree and then released at the scene.
Felony DUI, Felony Refusal, Driving With a Revoked License
COOPER LANDING—July 19 at 5:08 p.m., Trooper dispatch received a REDDI (Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately) report. At 5:29 p.m., a Cooper Landing based State Trooper observed the REDDI vehicle at 37 mile of the Seward Highway, and made contact with the driver, identified by his AKID, as Roland Munson, 57, of Eagle River. Munson was subsequently arrested for Felony DUI and DWLR, after court documents revealed Munson has a prior conviction of Felony DUI within the last 10 years, and his driver’s license was revoked until 2052 for DUI. Munson was transported to the Seward Jail and remanded without bail.
DUI, Refusal, Misconduct Involving a Weapon
COOPER LANDING—July 25 at 4 p.m., a Trooper received a REDDI (Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately) report. At 4:07 p.m., a Trooper observed the vehicle at 40 mile of the Sterling Highway and made contact with the driver, identified by his AKID, as Andrew Cramer, 24, of Kenai. Cramer was subsequently arrested for DUI and MIW IV, after the Trooper located a pistol inside the vehicle. Cramer was transported to the Seward Jail and remanded on the above charges.
Motor Vehicle Collision/Fatality
GIRDWOOD—July 26 at approximately 7:49 p.m., Troopers were notified of a head-on collision at mile 88 of the Seward Highway. An investigation revealed that a 2003 red Ford F150 pick-up truck driven by Thomas Lorah, 27 of Anchorage, swerved into oncoming traffic. Lorah’s truck struck a 2006 blue Ford Escape head on. The Escape had two occupants, driver Bruce Knofel, 60 of Seward, and passenger Annette Knofel, 59 of Seward. Annette Knofel succumbed to her injuries that she received in the wreck. Bruce Knofel was transported to Providence hospital in Anchorage for treatment of what appear to be non-life threatening injuries. Lorah received minor injuries in the collision and was also transported to Providence. Next of kin for Annette Knofel have been notified. The highway was closed for six-and-a-half hours following the collision. The investigation into this incident is ongoing.
Warrant Arrest/Welfare Check
GIRDWOOD—July 31 at around 3:48 p.m., a Trooper responded to a residence in Girdwood for a report of a 3-year-old child left unattended inside the residence. The father was identified as Daniel E. Figueroa, age 25 of Arizona. Figueroa was found to have an outstanding warrant for Failure to Satisfy Judgment; original charge DWLS. Figueroa was arrested and remanded to the Anchorage Jail. Bail was set at $1,000 cash. Investigation revealed that the child was not left unattended at anytime inside the residence. A family member came and picked up the child.
DUI
COOPER LANDING—Aug. 1 at approximately 4:15 p.m., Alaska Wildlife Troopers from Cooper Landing post received a REDDI (Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately) Report of a blue Chevrolet Van traveling southbound on the Sterling Highway near Mile 42. A Troopers, with the aid of U.S. Forest Service Officers, observed the reported vehicle passing the Russian River Ferry entrance at Mile 52 of the Sterling Highway. A traffic stop was initiated and the driver, Timothy W. Jackson age 34, of Anchorage, was contacted. An investigation revealed that Jackson was driving under the influence of alcohol. Jackson was arrested and transported to the Seward Jail. Bail is set at $500.
Motor Vehicle Collision/With Injuries
SEWARD HIGHWAY—July 31 at approximately 8:48 p.m., the Trooper Bureau of highway Patrol, South Central Team responded to a reported single vehicle collision near mile 51.3 of the Seward Highway. An investigation determined a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, operated by Dustin R. Graham, age 19 of Kenai, was traveling northbound on the Seward Highway at a high rate of speed attempting to pass other vehicles. The vehicle lost control on the wet roadway during heavy rain and spun off of the roadway where it vaulted and rolled several times. All four occupants of the vehicle were transported to area hospitals with varying degrees of injuries. All occupants reported wearing seatbelts except for one that was ejected during the collision. Alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in this collision. The vehicle is considered a total loss.
Felony DUI, Driving While License Suspended
GIRDWOOD—Aug. 1 at approximately 3:17 p.m., the Alaska State Troopers Bureau of Highway Patrol, South Central Team stopped a 1999 Ford Ranger at mile 96 Seward Highway near Girdwood, after the vehicle was reported as a reckless vehicle and AST observed the vehicle crossing the center line and fog line multiple times.
The driver was identified as Jeff Seger, 43 of Palmer. An investigation revealed that Seger was driving while under the influence of alcohol and with a suspended license. Seger had a prior felony DUI conviction, which makes this a felony DUI arrest. Seger was arrested and booked into the Anchorage Jail on the charges of Felony DUI and DWLS. Seger’s bail was set at $10,000 cash and a court approved third party custodian.
Motor Vehicle Collision
BIRD CREEK—Aug. 1 at approximately 8:10 p.m., the Alaska State Troopers, Bureau of Highway Patrol, South Central Team responded to a motor vehicle collision with injuries on the Seward Highway at Bird Creek. An investigation revealed that Naomi Pourget,21, of Anchorage) was riding a 2006 Kawasaki motorcycle northbound on the Seward Highway near Bird Creek (in the safety corridor) when she passed multiple vehicles (in a marked no passing zone) that had slowed for a turning motorhome.
Pourget struck the motorhome in the side that was turning into a parking lot. Tundra Paulsen, 32, of Anchorage drove the motorhome, a 1973 Eldorado,). Pourget was transported by the Anchorage Fire Department to the hospital with non life threatening injuries. Pourget was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.
The occupants of the motorhome reported wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision and reported no injuries. An investigation is continuing.
Motor Vehicle Collision
GIRDWOOD—Aug. 2 at approximately 12:50 p.m. the Trooper Bureau of Highway Patrol South Central Team, Girdwood Troopers, and U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement responded to a report of a traffic collision at mile 87.8 mile of the Sward Highway. An investigation revealed John D. Mack, age 60, of Wasilla was traveling north bound on the Seward Highway when his boat and trailer became detached from his vehicle. The boat crossed the centerline and collided with a 2005 Toyota Four Runner driven by Logan R. Harrison, age 18 of Anchorage who was traveling south bound on the Seward Highway.
All parties reported wearing there safety belts and no injuries. The damage to both vehicles was estimated to be a total loss.
Motor Vehicle Collision
SEWARD HIGHWAY—Aug. 3 at approximately 4:03 pm, Soldotna dispatch received a 911 of a crash at 93.3 mile of the Seward with injuries. State Troopers responded to the accident and investigation revealed that David Carlsen 52, of Anchorage was driving a state department vehicle, F350 quad-cab flatbed truck with passenger Robert McDonald, 47, attempting to make a left turn and turned into oncoming traffic causing a red Dodge truck to collide with it.
The red Dodge truck was driven by Alex Gittlein, 21, of Wasilla and occupied by Holly Gittlein, 32 of Wasilla and Rachel Heels, 23 of the UK.
All parties were transported to Anchorage hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. Both McDonald and Carlsen are employees of the state Department of Transportation & Public Facilities. Carlsen will be cited to exercise due care to avoid a collision.
Holly Gittlein was flown to Providence after sustaining injuries from either hitting the dashboard or windshield. She was sitting in the middle and had a lap belt. Everyone was wearing a seatbelt. This crash occurred in a safety corridor.
11-year-old boy killed in Seward Highway head-on collision
Photo Courtesy of Alaska State Troopers
On July 24, at approximately 8:10 p.m., Soldotna dispatch received several 911 calls reporting a head-on collision at Mile 76.6 Seward Highway between a green Subaru Legacy station wagon driven by Peter Mandel, 45, of Anchorage and a 2001 blue Ford passenger van driven by Rick Langfitt, 51, of Kodiak. The passenger of the van was transporting seven children from the Kodiak American League baseball team back to Kodiak. The van Langfitt was driving crossed the center line into the northbound lane of traffic and crossed the opposing fog line. Both drivers took evasive action in trying to avoid the collision. The van impacted the Subaru on the passenger side. Seth Mandel, 11, of Anchorage, who was sitting in the rear seat on the passenger side, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Molly Mandel, 7, of Anchorage and Peter Mandel were transported to Providence for treatment of injuries. All juveniles in the van suffered minor injuries. They are Austin T. Cowley, 16; Joshua O. Benzona, 15; Mikel J. Garner, 16; Clifford R. Anderson, 16; Raphael Isaia-Matautia, 17; Alec J. Eastman, 15; and Derrek H. D. Deal, 15. Langfitt was unharmed. The highway remained closed for approximately 4-1/2 hours. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. |
