Seward Highway Head-On Collision Kills 1, Injures 3

A deadly head-on collision on Mile 84 of the Seward Highway, south of Girdwood, leaves one person dead and three others badly injured.

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By Alexis Fernandez

Story Created: Aug 20, 2011 at 9:29 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Aug 21, 2011 at 5:26 PM AKDT

Alaska State Troopers say a head-on collision on the Seward Highway killed one person and left three people injured.

Troopers spokesperson Megan Peters said the crash happened around 4:20 p.m. Saturday at Mile 84, six miles south of Girdwood.

According to Peters, a silver Chevy pick-up driven by Ronnie Allen, 53, was heading northbound, crossed the center lane for unknown reasons, and hit a red Chevy pick-up truck being driven by James Ries, age 66 of Kasilof, going southbound.

Peters said Ries was driving with two family members in the vehicle, Supaporn Ries, 28, of Kasilof, and a 9-year-old female. James Ries died at the scene. 

Allen and Supaporn Ries, along with the 9-year-old female were transported to a local Anchorage hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, said Peters. 

The Seward Highway was shut down from the time of the crash and reopened at around 11:00 p.m.  

The cause of the crash is still being investigated. 

 

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stewart said on Monday, Aug 22 at 10:21 PM

why not put up decoy cop cars they dont have to be manned and they dont cost a lot, people see them and maybe they will slow down and maybe think twice about how they are driving

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Bradley said on Monday, Aug 22 at 8:16 PM

Jim Ries was a good friend of mine, I have known him my entire life. He moved my family to Alaska, and enjoyed this state so much that he ended up staying. Jim was a great man- a Vietnam veteran, a husband, and a father. I will sorely miss him, and will never forget who he was. I love you Jim Ries, and I know that you were greeted with open arms as you walked into the gates of Heaven. May God bless you and keep you.

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b said on Monday, Aug 22 at 2:33 AM

Seems like a lot of the accidents this summer were not excessive speed but rather fatigue and distractions. Also most were caused by people over 50. Perhaps a Seward Highway certfication on our licenses.

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bwool99 said on Monday, Aug 22 at 2:33 AM

Seems like a lot of the accidents this summer were not excessive speed but rather fatigue and distractions. Also most were caused by people over 50. Perhaps a Seward Highway certfication on our licenses.

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goodgrief7 said on Saturday, Aug 20 at 10:01 PM

It's amazing how people are still unable to have patience. It's easier to whine and blame. No one is willing to change - everyone has an excuse of why severe penalties won't work; why safety signs and speed limit signs won't work; why solid lines won't work; why barriers won't work; why making passing illegal won't work... excuses of why they don't want be a part of making the road safer. Everyone complains that the road is unsafe but yet they're not willing to make the needed safety changes. Maybe the State needs to install cement barriers and see if that works. Aside from medical issues causing an accident, maybe tacking on an extra $1500 fines plus community service for speeders could be a deterrent. (it would be worth a try). The State just needs to make changes regardless of how many people whine. Boils down to everyone needs to have patience and give themselves plenty of time to travel. (regardless of the situation and frustration level, patience is a good thing).

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