One of two people involved in a collision on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway early Wednesday was trapped and gravely injured, according to Alaska State Troopers and responding medics.
The two-vehicle collision, in front of Diversified Tire near North Jessica Brook Drive, was reported to troopers just after 6:50 a.m., according to an online dispatch.
"It was reported the vehicles were on fire," troopers wrote. "Troopers and medics responded and one driver was transported to (Mat-Su Regional Medical Center) in critical condition. The other driver did not report any injuries."
Ken Barkley, deputy director of emergency services for the Mat-Su Borough, said troopers and medics arrived at the scene within minutes of the original call. He said one vehicle burned in the wreck, a T-bone collision involving a tow truck and another vehicle.
"The tow truck burned — which was good, because that wasn't the one that the person was entrapped in," Barkley said. "We had to extricate that person from the other vehicle."
No passengers were in either vehicle, Barkley said, and medics evaluated the tow truck's driver at the scene. The highway was closed for about 40 minutes during the response.