Alaska State Troopers have released the names of two Soldotna motorcyclists involved in a fatal accident along the Sterling Highway Tuesday night.

Thomas Clinton Salmon, 62, was killed, and Jason Thomas McWilliams, 47, suffered life-threatening injuries, after the two crashed near mile 115 of the highway. 

The men, who were driving 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycles, lost control on a curved stretch of highway, went off the road and crashed into a ditch, according to an Alaska State Trooper dispatch. Salmon was pronounced deceased at the scene. McWilliams was transported to the hospital for treatment.

Troopers, who responded to the accident just before 9 p.m. Tuesday night, reported that alcohol may have been a factor in the accident. Megan Peters, public information officer for the Alaska State Troopers, said toxicological screens are done for all fatal accidents. Results of the tox screens can take four to eight weeks, Peters said.

The investigation is ongoing.

— Erin Thompson