ATV driver severely injured in Aniak crash

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Alaska State Troopers are investigating an all-terrain vehicle crash in Aniak (ANN’-ee-ak) as a possible criminal case.

Troopers took a call Saturday afternoon that a four-wheeler carrying two people had crashed.

An officer arrived to find an ambulance crew treating the driver, who was severely injured and later flown to Anchorage.

The passenger told troopers that he and the driver had shared a bottle of whiskey in Kalskag and then left for Aniak.

The four-wheeler at Aniak blew a tire. The driver lost control and both riders were thrown into trees along the road. The ATV landed on them.

The passenger was treated at the scene and released.

Troopers continue to investigate.

Aniak is 100 miles northeast of Bethel.