On Tuesday, at approximately 7:30 am, the Alaska State Troopers were notified of an accident involving a single vehicle on the Steese Highway at mile 17.

When troopers arrived on the scene, they found that icy roadways caused an accident involving a fatality. EMS were already on the scene prior to their arrival. EMS would declare one of the passenger of the 2008 F-350 truck, 39-year-old Lacey Buttram of Idaho deceased from his injuries.

Two other occupants of the vehicle, the driver, 29-year-old Utah resident Jason Johnson, and passenger, 26-year-old Michael Hiatt, also of Utah, sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the incident. They were transported to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital for treatment of those injuries.

The trooper investigation at the scene found that the F-350 was northbound on the Steese Highway when it encountered ice on the highway and lost traction as Johnson negotiated the slight turn in the highway. The vehicle went off the road and rolled down a 30-foot embankment.

Troopers reported that despite the use of seatbelts, the incident resulted in the fatality.

The investigation into the crash is continuing.