Fairbanks, AK : North Pole man dies in Richardson Highway crash on Thursday night, November 10, 2016

A North Pole man died Thursday night after his car crashed into a parked vehicle near Fairbanks on the Richardson Highway.

Conner J. Wilhelm, 18, died after he lost control of his car near 359 Mile Richardson Highway, according to an email from Fairbanks police officer Doug Welborn.

Fairbanks police described icy roads as a "major factor" in the crash and warn of continued problems with icy roads today. There were no indications drugs or alcohol played a role, although police are still investigating.

The fatal crash occurred while police were on scene at another crash nearby. At about 8:40 p.m., police responded to an accident in the highway's southbound lane in which a vehicle struck two stationary vehicles near the 359 Mile sign. Family members of the driver in the first crash arrived to help and parked a blue Dodge Durango SUV well off the highway on the north side of the road.

While police were on scene at the first crash, a gray 2002 Honda Accord driven by Wilhelm was traveling north and lost control, spinning sideways on the road. The driver's side of the Honda struck the rear right corner of the parked Durango. Wilhelm was unconscious and unresponsive behind the wheel and was taken to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. He had a passenger who was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Both lanes of the highway were closed for about an hour while police and fire departments responded to the crashes.

Source :
North Pole man dies in Richardson Highway crash