Police have identified an 11-year-old boy as the fatality in the multiple-vehicle accident that closed a section of the Sterling Highway for several hours Wednesday.
Soldotna Police, Alaska State Troopers and Central Emergency Services responded to Mile 93 of the Sterling Highway, near Mackey Lake Road at approximately 12:54 p.m. on Wednesday, according to a Thursday morning dispatch from the Soldotna Police Department.
A 2001 Nissan Maxima headed east on the highway had crossed into the opposing lane, where it was struck by a 2017 Dodge ambulance belonging to Central Emergency Services, the dispatch said.
An 11-year-old boy from Soldotna, who was a passenger in the Nissan, was killed in the collision. The driver of the Nissan was treated for non-life threatening injuries at Central Peninsula Hospital, as was one of the emergency personnel from the ambulance.
According to a report from the Soldotna Police Department on Thursday, next of kin have been notified and the collision is still under investigation.
Due to road closures, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District buses were stalled. Area schools impacted by the closure stayed open late to accommodate waiting students.
