33.0°

Two Sterling residents were found dead after a fatal crash off the Seward Highway on Dec. 3 that left them buckled into the Ford pickup's seats upside down with the entire cab submerged in water.

Carolyn Crane, 26, was driving the 2000 Ford crew cab pickup in the single-vehicle accident and investigators identified John Cunningham II, 38, as the passenger.

Soldotna Bureau of Highway Patrol, Girdwood medics and Girdwood Alaska State Troopers responded to the accident near Mile 76 shortly after 5 a.m. No one witnessed the accident. The vehicle was headed toward Serward.

Highway Patrol Sgt. Eugene Fowler said alcohol and speed are thought to be the main factors in the crash.

"The roads had a slight snow cover, but the weather was clear, calm and in the mid 20s," Fowler said. "So weather and roads didn't appear to be a factor."

Crews removed the vehicle from the water and both the driver and the passenger had to be extricated from the cab, which had filled with snow, water and ice.

Investigation revealed the truck slid sideways across the northbound lane and rolled several times before finally coming to a stop submerged in four feet of water, resting upside down. The tires were the only part of the vehicle not underwater.

The Anchorage Fire Department responded to the scene and conducted an underwater/ice search for additional victims and did not find any. Investigators contacted Crane and Cunningham's next of kin and learned that no other victims are believed to have been in the vehicle.

Reporter Andrew Waite can be reached at andrew.waite@peninsulaclarion.com