A car accident in Soldotna over the weekend involving four people resulted in a fatality and a second-degree murder charge, among others, according to a dispatch report from the Alaska State Troopers.
At just after 3:30 a.m. Saturday, troopers responded to a single-vehicle rollover crash and found three people on the scene. Two passengers sustained minor injuries and were transported to an area hospital, but Samuel Helmuth, 37, of Idaho was killed in the wreck, according to the dispatch.
The driver, 50-year-old David Casey of Soldotna, fled the scene on foot before first responders arrived, the report stated. Troopers found him around 5:30 a.m. at his residence and took him into custody.
The Soldotna man was charged with second-degree murder, two counts of third-degree assault, driving under the influence, fourth-degree misconduct involving weapons, reckless endangerment, and leaving the scene of a fatality accident.
According to the dispatch report, Helmuth’s next of kin have been notified.
Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.
