JUNEAU POLICE DEPARTMENT
6255 ALAWAY AVENUE JUNEAU, ALASKA 99801
Business (907) 586-0600
Fax (907) 463-4808
Integrity, Courage, Service, Respect
INFORMATION RELEASE
Date: 2011-12-01
From: Juneau Police Department
Case or Incident: #111201-010
On 12/01/2011, at about 1540 hours, the Juneau Police Department received a report of a motor vehicle collision involving three vehicles on Mendenhall Loop Road near Stephen Richards Memorial Drive with possible injuries.
JPD officers arrived on scene and closed Mendenhall Loop Road between Dudley Street and Stephen Richards Memorial Drive for about 45 minutes as the three vehicles were blocking traffic heading towards Egan Drive.
Capital City Fire/Rescue arrived on scene to evaluate drivers for possible injuries. There were no medical transports.
The investigation revealed 56 year old Juneau resident Naomi VAKAUTA was driving a brown Honda van from the driveway of a residence on Mendenhall Loop Road. 37 year old Juneau resident Joshua ZELLER was driving a green Ford truck on Mendenhall Loop Road towards the glacier. VAKAUTA drove out of the driveway to turn left. She entered traffic on Loop Road and was crossing a lane of travel and the turn lane. ZELLER had the right of way and attempted to swerve out of the way VAKAUTA, but was unable to. The front passenger side of ZELLER'S vehicle struck the the front driver's side of VAKAUTA'S vehicle. A 66 year old female Juneau resident driving a black Subaru Legacy was driving on Loop Road heading towards Egan Drive and tried to stop, but couldn't and was struck by VAKAUTA'S vehicle.
VAKAUTA was cited for Negligent Driving.
ZELLER was cited for Driving while License Suspended and his vehicle was impounded.
All factual allegations contained in this release are based upon preliminary investigation and are subject to change or clarification as the investigation continues. Any charges reported in this release are merely accusations and all persons named in this release are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.