While pushing another vehicle with her 1993 red Chevy pickup, 70-year-old Sharon Wiertsema was struck by a 2006 red Freightliner Tractor as it was attempting to pass her and the vehicle she was pushing at mile 87 of the Parks Highway on Wednesday night.

Alaska State Troopers responded to the accident that was reported at 10:06 pm on Wednesday night.

Their investigation at the scene determined that the 70-year-old Willow woman was pushing another vehicle, that was disabled, down the Parks Highway with her bumper and not using any towing device such as a hitch or towline. The pushed vehicle was being steered by 70-year-old Willow resident Harlan Wiertsema.

41-year-old Patrick Crandall had been traveling behind the slow moving vehicles for several miles in his Freightliner Tractor which had two flat-bed freight trailers in tow. When finally encountering a passing zone on the highway, Crandall attempted to pass the two vehicles, as he was doing so, the two vehicles turned left in front of him without warning.

The Tractor driven by Crandall impacted the pickup operated by Sharon Wiertsema, disabling both vehicles. The vehicle being pushed was not damaged in the accident.

All three driver reported wearing seat belts at the time of the accident. No one was injured in the crash.

Sharon Wiertsema was issued citations for Failure to Exercise Due Care to Avoid Collision and for Improper Towing Equipment.

Harlan Wiertsema was issued a misdemeanor citation for driving Without a License.