The 2 troopers killed in a chaotic four-vehicle crash Friday night on the Glenn Freeway have been paratroopers who each got here to Alaska in 2019.
The U.S. Military Alaska on Tuesday recognized the troopers as Wyne Lyndon Jacob Abonita, 22, of Yokosuka, Japan and Valsin David Tate Jr., 23, of New Orleans.
4 different individuals have been injured within the crash, together with two further troopers, authorities stated.
Abonita and Tate died on the scene.
The lads have been touring southbound on the freeway in a Mitsubishi Galant when their automotive and a close-by Dodge Challenger each misplaced management between Muldoon and Turpin roads, Anchorage police stated in a press release. The Challenger hit a tree off the facet of the freeway, sending two individuals to the hospital.
The Galant struck a Toyota Tundra and each automobiles crossed into oncoming visitors and rolled earlier than the Galant collided with a Chevrolet Silverado, inflicting each automobiles to catch hearth, police stated. Two individuals within the Tundra have been injured. The Silverado’s driver was not damage.
The crash closed the Glenn Freeway in each instructions for a number of hours.
An Anchorage police spokeswoman didn’t reply questions this week concerning the circumstances surrounding the crash or what precipitated each automobiles to lose management on the identical time. A spokesman for the Military referred all questions concerning the investigation to the police.
There was gentle rain within the space on the time of the collision, in accordance with the Nationwide Climate Service.
Military officers final week stated two troopers have been injured within the crash, however police wouldn’t determine which automobile these troopers have been in throughout the crash.
One of many injured troopers was launched from the hospital by Saturday, Military officers stated over the weekend. The standing of the opposite soldier wasn’t instantly out there.
Abonita and Tate have been hearth management specialists assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Subject Artillery Regiment, the Military stated Tuesday.
Abonita joined the Military in March 2019 and skilled in South Carolina, Oklahoma and Georgia earlier than transferring to Alaska in September of that 12 months, officers stated.
Tate joined the Military in October 2018 and skilled in the identical places as Abonita earlier than transferring to Alaska in April 2019.
Each males acquired the Nationwide Protection Service Medal, World Warfare on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Service Ribbon and Parachutist Badge. Abonita was additionally awarded the Military Good Conduct Medal.
“This was a tragic scenario, and the whole battalion is mourning the lack of two of our paratroopers,” Lt. Col. Dustin Blair, regiment commander, stated in a press release, including paratroopers are receiving assist by way of behavioral well being property together with the Unit Ministry Staff and Army Household Life Counselor.
An Anchorage police investigation into the crash continues.