1 dead, 1 hurt in collision

A Sterling man was killed Sunday morning and his wife hospitalized after the vehicle they were traveling in was struck by an Alaska Department of Transpor-tation and Public Facilities sand truck at Mile 86.6 of the Sterling Highway.

According to Greg Wilkinson, Alaska State Trooper information officer, troopers responded at 11:13 a.m. to the scene where Robin Pennington, 55, died after the sand truck, traveling northbound on the highway, struck his 1998 Dodge three-quarter-ton pickup.

The sand truck driver, Pixie Smith, 43, of Soldotna, lost control of the vehicle and crossed over the center line, troopers said. She was not injured in the accident.

The sander and Pennington's vehicle collided in a "V" pattern with the driver's side door taking the brunt of the collision.

"He died of massive trauma and had to be extracted from the vehicle," Wilkinson said, adding that Pennington was declared dead at the scene.

Pennington's wife, Barbara Pennington, 51, was transported to Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna by Central Emergency Services, where she was admitted and reported to be in critical condition Sunday night.

"She was complaining of chest pains," Wilkinson said.

Everyone involved was wearing seat belts, and troopers said alcohol was not a factor.

No charges have been issued, however, troopers are investigating the incident.

Troopers rerouted traffic around the accident for four hours, reopening the highway around 3:30 p.m.

Troopers, Fish and Wildlife Protection troopers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife personnel, DOT personnel and CES all responded to the accident.