Alaska State Troopers had to divert traffic around an accident scene near mile 50 of the Parks Highway after a three-vehicle accident there at 11:10 am on Tuesday, trooper dispatch reported.

When troopers arrived at the scene this morning, their investigation revealed that a silver sedan driven by 71-year-old John Hensel was rear-ended while he drove southbound and slowed to turn left, by a white van driven by 62-year-old Rodger Demiller of Trapper Creek. As a result of the impact, Hensel’s vehicle was pushed into the oncoming lane of traffic and was struck by a Honda SUV headed northbound.

The driver of the Sedan, Hensel, had to be extricated from his vehicle and was rushed to the hospital to be treated for what appeared to be serious injuries.

The driver of the Honda SUV, 68-year-old Ruth Strong of Talkeetna, and a passenger in that vehicle, were transported to the hospital as well, for evaluation and treatment.

The driver of the white van, Demiller declined to be transported. He was issued a citation for Negligent Driving.

Troopers diverted traffic around the accident scene and through a nearby parking lot while the investigation at that location was conducted.

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  accident, big lake, collision, crash, hospital, injuries, investigation, john hensel, parks highway, rodger demiller, ruth strong, wasilla