Oct. 3—Two drivers died in a Parks Highway crash Thursday evening near Houston after one of their vehicles crossed into oncoming traffic, hitting multiple others, troopers said.
At about 5 p.m. Thursday, a Subaru station wagon driven by 52-year-old Wasilla resident Saranne Twitchell crossed into oncoming traffic, striking three vehicles at Mile 62 of the Parks Highway north of Houston, according to an online Alaska Department of Public Safety statement.
Troopers believe the Subaru was travelling north before veering into southbound traffic, spokesman Austin McDaniel said Friday.
Twitchell died while being taken to a hospital, according to troopers. A 16-year-old male driver who was the sole occupant of the second vehicle Twitchell struck died at the scene, troopers said. The teenager wasn’t identified in the statement from troopers.
Troopers are waiting for a toxicology report to determine whether drugs or alcohol were a factor, according to McDaniel. He said someone had called to file a report “about the Subaru’s driving just before the crash occurred.”
No other injuries requiring ambulance transport were reported, according to troopers.
Next of kin for both of the deceased have been notified, troopers said, and the State Medical Examiner Office will conduct autopsies.
The crash prompted the highway to close for more than four hours Thursday night.