17-Year-Old Girl Injured in Two-Car Crash on Main Street
A two-car collision at the intersection of Main Street and Sterling Highway on Tuesday afternoon left a 17-year-old girl with head and facial injuries. Authorities reported that the girl was driving a Chevrolet Blazer north on Main Street when she collided with a Chevrolet pickup truck heading west.
Witnesses indicated that the girl may not have been wearing her seatbelt, as she struck her head on the windshield and was briefly rendered unconscious. Emergency medical personnel from the Homer Volunteer Fire Department transported her to South Peninsula Hospital.
The driver of the pickup, also a 17-year-old boy, sustained minor injuries to his shoulder and ankle and was advised by medics to seek treatment at the hospital as well.
Homer Police Sgt. Lary Kuhns stated that initial observations suggested the girl accelerated to beat the truck through the intersection. No involvement of drugs or alcohol was suspected.
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has identified the intersection as needing traffic control measures for safety. A traffic signal with turn lanes is planned, with construction expected to begin in 2016 or 2017.
From 2005 to 2009, the intersection saw 14 reported crashes, with a majority being angle collisions. Authorities continue to monitor traffic safety at the site.
For more information, contact Michael Armstrong at michael.armstrong@homernews.com.