Update (February 13, 2025): Authorities have identified the man was killed in this crash as Shawn Loberg, 52.

Anchorage, AK — January 9, 2025, one person was killed and two others were injured in a truck accident at about 8:40 p.m. on Seward Highway.

Authorities said a southbound semi-truck and a Kia Sorento collided head-on at mile marker 91 for an as-yet-unknown reason. The highway reportedly was wet and icy at the time of the crash.

The man driving the Kia, whose name has not been released at this time, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near Girdwood, according to authorities.

Two people in the semi-truck, a man and a woman, were hospitalized with injuries not thought to be life-threatening, authorities said. Their names have not been released either.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash.

The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary

When I hear about a crash like this. it immediately raises some important questions. Crashes on highways, particularly in winter conditions, often involve multiple factors that need to be carefully examined to understand what really happened and who, if anyone, might be at fault.

The icy and wet highway is a key element here. Extreme weather is common in Alaska, and professional drivers like those operating semi-trucks are expected to account for it. That means reducing speed, increasing following distance and exercising extra caution when visibility or traction is limited. One of the first things investigators will likely look at is whether the semi-truck driver adjusted their driving to the conditions that night.

Weather aside, another piece of the puzzle is the condition of the vehicles. For the semi-truck, investigators should examine whether it was properly maintained and equipped for icy conditions. Did it have winter tires or chains? Were the brakes and steering systems functioning as they should? For the Kia, understanding whether any mechanical failure or road hazard contributed to the collision is also crucial.

Another area to explore is whether either driver was distracted or impaired. Cell phone records, in-cab video footage from the semi-truck (if available) and toxicology reports could provide critical insights. These factors can sometimes reveal lapses in judgment that aren’t immediately obvious from the physical evidence at the crash scene.

Ultimately, a head-on collision like this is rarely a simple case of one person making a mistake. Crashes of this nature are often the result of a combination of factors: road conditions, vehicle maintenance, driver behavior and even how well the highway itself is designed to handle icy conditions. Investigators will need to piece all of this together to determine exactly what went wrong and why. For the families affected, it’s essential to get those answers, not just for accountability but to ensure steps are taken to prevent similar crashes in the future.