Two local teens involved in separate automobile accidents

CINTHIA RITCHIE

May 15, 2008 at 1:10PM AKST

Moose Pass teenager Donald Smith III is in critical condition at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage after his Honda motorcycle crashed into a truck.

According to Alaska State Trooper Mike Zweifel, 16-year-old Smith ran a stop sign leading on to the Seward Highway and was hit by a pickup traveling south.

Both vehicles caught fire on impact.

Smith was treated at the scene and then taken to Providence Seward Medical Center by the Seward Volunteer Ambulance Corp. He was stabilized and then airlifted to the Alaska Native Medical Center.

According to Zweifel, Smith sustained severe burns and trauma injuries.

Moose Pass Fire Department, Bear Creek Fire Department, Forest Service Law Enforcement, Cooper Landing Ambulance and other local rescue teams also assisted at the scene.

The driver of the Ford pickup, Brain Morris of Moose Pass, and his passenger were uninjured. Both were wearing seat belts. According to Morris, his passenger pulled Smith out of the fiery wreckage.

“He single handily pulled the boy out of the fire without regard for his own safety, we both worked to get Donny extinguished then I began calling for help,” he said.
Both vehicles were later removed from the scene by Hamilton’s Towing.

The second accident took place at about 2:45 p.m., according to the Alaska State Troopers report, and involved a collision between a 2005 Honda CRV and a utility pole. A 17-year-old youth was traveling northbound on the Seward Highway when he lost control, veered off the highway and struck an electric pole. The truck overturned and according to witness reports, the youth crawled from the wreckage and fled.

He was located later that day by troopers. His injuries were minor. The utility pole, however, suffered detailed damage. Service to areas around Nash Road and the Seward Highway was cut off for up to five hours.

According to the Alaska State Troopers office, the investigation is continuing.

Cinthia Ritchie can be reached at (907) 342-2428 or toll free at (800) 770-9830, ext. 428.