INFORMATION RELEASE

On 10/27/2021, at about 1:17 PM, the Juneau Police Department received a report of a motor vehicle collision in the 11700 block of Glacier Highway, near the Auke Bay roundabout. It was reported that two vehicles were involved in the crash, but one of the vehicles did not stop afterwards, and continued driving inbound on Glacier Highway. The initial description of the fleeing vehicle was described it as possibly being a beige GMC Terraine.

Responding officers looked for the fleeing vehicle, but it was not immediately located. Officers responded to the crash location and located one of the vehicles involved in the crash, a blue Toyota Prius. The Prius had been operated by a 17-year-old male who complained of pain as a result of the collision, but declined needing an ambulance. The Prius sustained disabling damages during the crash and may be totaled.

A short time later, the Juneau Police Department received a report of a single vehicle crashing into the guardrail on Egan Drive at Vanderbilt Hill Road. The vehicle involved in the crash was a black Chevrolet Equinox, being driven by a 35-year-old female. The female driver was transported by ambulance to the hospital for a medical evaluation, due to possible injuries sustained during the crash.

Investigating officers were able to determine that the Chevrolet Equinox had been involved in the earlier collision with the Toyota Prius. The preliminary investigation showed that the Prius had been driving outbound on Glacier Highway, approaching the roundabout and the Equinox was travelling inbound on Glacier Highway, just after the roundabout. The Equinox was travelling at a high rate of speed and was attempting to pass a vehicle in front of them, crossing into the outbound lane in front of the Prius. The driver of the Prius attempted to swerve to avoid a collision, but as the Equinox passed the vehicle in front of them, they collided with the driver side left corner panel of the Prius, causing the collision. After the crash, the Equinox did not stop and continued inbound on Glacier Highway.

This case is still under investigation and charges are pending against the driver of the Equinox for the cause of the crash and leaving the scene of the collision.