Back 
Update: The driver of the red truck has been identified as Rodney Peterkin, 42, of Kenai. He suffered minor injuries as a result of the collision, according to Troopers. Investigation is ongoing.
________
Law enforcement officials are investigating a Wednesday evening collision on the Kenai Spur Highway that involved an Alaska State Trooper.
At 11:33 p.m., Trooper Thad Hamilton was responding to a domestic violence call in Nikiski when he collided with a Dodge extended-cab truck at approximately mile 14 of the Kenai Spur Highway, according to a Trooper report.
The accident occurred near the Spur’s intersection with Cook Inlet View Drive and Wildwood Drive.
Another Trooper responding to the same call came upon the wreck moments after it occurred. Hamilton was transported and admitted to Central Peninsula Hospital. He is being treated for injuries sustained in the wreck, according to the report.
The cause of the collision is not yet determined.
Peterkin suffered minor injuries as a result of the collision, according to Troopers.
The patrol vehicle and the truck were totaled in the collision.
The highway was closed to one lane only for several hours, slowing early morning traffic. The road is now fully open and traffic is moving normally.
This story will be updated later as more details become available.
Comments (19)
Add commentPraying for ya
This is a terrible accident, and very sorry, I am hoping no one is seriously hurt bad. I am thankful for our troopers and I hope him and the other will be ok.
Domestic Violence
More Officers are injured over domestic violence complaints than any other enforcement category..I could like to see a policy of slow down, take it nice and easy in response..Don't become entangled between the combatants, use tasers and gas instead, you can always arrest the survivor ...People got themselves into their mess, let them get their way out - with counseling of course...Police Officers need not be baby-sitters..With that, my prayers today include both victims of this traffic accident...
People should get one
People should get one domestic violence call per relationship. If you stay together after that, you should be responsible for resolving your own conflicts like adults.
In addition to counseling, some self-defense training could probably go a long way for those prone to such relationships.
Excessive speed in trooper accident?
One month ago while sitting at the intersection of Willow and Spur Hwy. at the red light, I witnessed a AK Trooper car responding to a call. He came around me in the turning lane and then cut back to the right while running the red light. Two cars entering the road from frontage were almost taken out. I wished I would have called it in now.....I do not believe that trooper cars should be turned into deadly weapons while in route to a call. You just can't risk lives to possibly help someone. Please slow down!
Response Time 2/26/12
Sun. 2/26/12 The State Trooper is "Damned If Ya Do then Damned If Ya Don't a Catch 22 situation.
Troopers are expected to arrive As Fast As Possible in Response to a 911 Domestic Distrubance Call.
Lives depend on Our State Troopers stopping the Violence between People. & they are usually Drunken Idiots.
The Troopers receive Training to become Highly Skilled Professional Drivers. But sooner or later the Odds are against them & they get hurt. I am curious as to how this accident happened ? Thats a Highway with 5 wide traffic lanes ? So how did a Head On Collision Happen ? Mystery to Me ?
I hope this State Trooper has additional Health Ins cuz being Injuried On the Job is going to Cost Him Big Time.
The State of Alaska Workers Comp actually punishes Employees for being Injuried On the Job
You only receive 50% of Your Take Home Pay while on Workers Comp. Been There Done That & it was NOT a Fun Event.
I sincerely hope this State Trooper heals from his injuries quickly & completely & Is Made Whole Again.
SPW "Airborne"
re:Excessive speed in trooper accident?
It is particularly interesting that not a single trooper must have been on duty out in Nikiski that night that they had to send one racing out there to respond to a call. Sad. I work overnight right by the highway in Kenai and saw a string of patrol cars racing by right after the accident. They looked like they were going 80mph right through town. I understand the importance of haste in an emergency situation but the way I see our local officers drive, it's amazing that these accidents don't happen more often. Looking at the pictures, it looks very much like that trooper plowed headfirst into the front driver-side of that dodge pickup.
drinking and driving
Maybe we should not close down the local bar and turn left in front of a trooper on a call. Very lucky somebody was not killed because of a poor judgement!!
say what?
It was 1130 at night....... how could anybody have "closed down the bar"? Was there a DUI or impaired or wreckless driving ticket issued? Everyone has a responsibilty to drive in a reasonable manner, even The Alaska State Troopers! I understand the urgency to respond quickly, especially in domestic violence cases, but this urgency must be weighed against safety concerns, which include driving at a high rate of speed on icy roads. I sincerely hope the trooper makes a full recovery. The last comment insinuates Mr. Peterkin was drinking. If so, let's see the proof. If not, let's not slander his good name.
I'm curious what exactly
I'm curious what exactly happened and why it took 8 hours to reopen the road, but it's hard to say when they don't release any details on the nature of the collision and no one has yet been cited. From the pictures, it isn't really clear what happened. It could have been a head-on or someone pulling out in front of the other. As for the closing bar comment? There is no record of Mr. Peterkin having any DUIs in the past.
Accident
Rod, I am thankful you and the trooper got through this without serious injuries! I wish both of you the best.
Angela's dad, Mike
Wow!!
ASSumptions are the cause of wildy spread rumors. Here in this small community, where you cannot fart in church sunday morning without the whole town knowing by the time you sit down to dinner that night, perhaps we should all wait for the investigation to close and the official report to be released!!!
Your Turn May Come Next
If a member of your family is involved in a domestic dispute and is in danger of being injured or killed you would want the trooper to get there as fast as possible. I have ridden with
Trooper Hamilton and I know him to be a professional at all times. Just an honest man doing the best job he knows how and one who cares deeply for the people he is trying to serve and protect. What would you do if your family member was killed or maimed and the state trooper didn't get there in time because he was driving too slow.
I totally agree with
I totally agree with stevencalhoun, and will take it one step further, what if it was your daughter involved in the DV call?
would you then sue them because they drove to slow to get there?
Did you know that we all have a duty to STOP when we see the flashing lights and or sirens?
Do you know that the most hazardous calls for law enforcement is a DV call?
I am somewhat outraged that so many people would be doggin on this tropper. I just hope that (Lord forbid) if you ever have the need to call in to 911 wont be miffed if it takes the troppoer a bit longer to get to you as to not upset you by driving to fast!!
i do not know mr peterkin but
i do not know mr peterkin but may know some of his relatives, i do not know the officer either, i've no idea of the cause the accident, but i do know what the newspaper article said and i presume it's accurate, so let's assume that is true, the accident occured at appoximately wildwood drive, the rout to the prison, the other road is cook inlet view, and that is a 2 lane road, not a 5 lane as was insinuated, the SE corner houses RPM machine shop, the SW or close to is a church, the NW is doyle's/ weaver bros, the NE is undeveloped, so if i have the location correctly, i will continue, as far as i know there isn't a bar nor liquor store near, i remember a bar at the wildwood facility some 25 or 30 yrs ago, they also had a mechincal bull, i'm not gonna speculate if 'pruno' is made at wildwood, but if so am sure it wouldn't be distrubute to the public, and am not aware of any bar close, so the leaving a bar comment can't be correct, as i said all i know about the accident is from the clarion and ksrm radio, so i will be a good citizen and not try to create facts
LEO State Trooper
I had to laugh at all the assumptions created. Seriously? One DV call per relationship and then they have to settle it themselves. The person that was in the red truck closed down a bar? Where in the world do these things come from??!! It was an unfortunate accident, folks. The Trooper was doing his job and seeing to the urgency of the call. The driver was in a bad spot as well. Bad roads, etc. You never know when it may be a loved one in need, regardless if it is a DV call or just an emergency call for help. Please be considerate folks. These LEO's take their lives into their own hands on a daily basis. There isn't enough money in the world to pay them for what they are worth. (And, for the record...I am NOT a law enforcement officer...just a proud citizen that has a ton of respect for these men/women that are so often unappreciated.)
Trooper
I really don't know who was at falt did the person check there mirrors before turning they should have.
Maybe someone's gas pedal
Maybe someone's gas pedal froze to the floor board. Maybe the other guy was texting. Maybe two squirrels ran out into the road at that moment and gave each other high 5's. Oh the suspense.
sad accident
I don't live in alaska but I have driven on ice and I know that it does not help anyone get anywhere if they wreck on the way. Wow there are lots of opinions...you know what they are like dont you? Puuuuuu. fortunately none of them matter. Only 2 people know what happened. None of you are either of those 2 to my knowledge
Accedents really do happen!!!
I went by the scene at about 3:30AM the trooper car was gone but the truck was still in the road. That picture was in my mind all day. Its a reminder accidents can happen to anybody at any time!! My wife was in an accident 2 years ago and I was appauled by the rumors that started flying arround after the accident. Its bad enough the people that are involved in accidents have to live with the result of them and then listen to all the smack talk.
If you dont know what happend keep the assumptions to yourself. You never know when your card will be pulled and youll be next!
Best wishes to you and your family Rod.
We are praying for the Trooper to make a full recovery too.