Update 7 p.m.:

Alaska State Troopers have released the names of two men who died this afternoon in a head-on collision on Kalifornsky Beach Road.

Troopers’ investigation revealed 34-year-old Theodore Knutson, of Kenai, crossed into the oncoming lane in his Chevy HHR and struck a GMC Yukon driven by 63-year-old Albert Brunner, of Soldotna, according to an online trooper dispatch. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene at mile 17 of K-Beach Road, according to the dispatch.

The female passenger who was taken to Central Peninsula Hospital was transported for “serious injuries,” troopers wrote. They also wrote that all occupants of the cars were wearing their seatbelts.

The family of the men have been notified, troopers wrote in the dispatch, and the investigation is ongoing.

Original Story:

Two people have died after a head-on crash on Kalifornsky Beach Road.

Alaska State Troopers and members of Central Emergency Services responded to a head-on collision at 3:04 p.m. Saturday at mile 17 of K-Beach Road, in front of Diamond M Ranch Resort near the Bridge Access Road intersection.

A GMC Yukon collided with a Chevrolet HHR, killing the drivers of both cars and injuring a female passenger in the Yukon, who was transported to Central Peninsula Hospital, troopers said on scene.

Traffic was slowed but was able to continue moving past the accident scene on the dirt frontage roads bordering the highway.

Troopers said the HHR, responding to a black Ford F150 attempting to turn in front of it into Diamond M Ranch Resort, had entered the Kenai-bound lane of the highway where it struck the GMC.

As of approximately 4:00 p.m., a commanding Trooper sergeant on scene said the highway would be open to one lane within a half hour and cleared soon after.

The names of the two drivers have not yet been released. Troopers said on scene that their families had not yet been notified.

Reach Ben Boettger at ben.boettger@peninsulaclarion.com.