An Anchorage police officer is hospitalized today after a near head-on crash on the Glenn Highway coming into Anchorage, a police spokeswoman said.
Just after 3:15 this morning, officer Jennifer Pierce, 25, was driving inbound on the Glenn when a 2007 gold BMW 328 headed the other direction crossed the median and two lanes of traffic, then sideswiped Pierce's patrol cruiser, police said.
Police identified the driver of the BMW as Jariss Black, 21. He was alone in the vehicle, which belonged to a friend, said police spokeswoman Marlene Lammers.
The crash happened as Pierce was approaching the McCarrey Street overpass, just past the Boniface Parkway exit. Police closed the inbound Glenn for hours. It reopened just after 9 a.m.
Pierce was trapped in her vehicle and had to be extricated by an Anchorage Fire Department crew. Medics took her to a local hospital, where she is being treated for a broken pelvis, Lammers said.
"Speed appears to be a factor in the collision but all that is under investigation," Lammers said. Alcohol does not appear to be a cause, police said.
Black suffered only minor injuries and did not require hospitalization, Lammers said.
No charges have been filed.
Police are asking that anyone who witnessed the collision or saw how Black was driving beforehand to contact traffic investigator Rick Steiding at 786-2669. Police have spoken to some witnesses already, Lammers said.
Witnesses can remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward through Crime Stoppers, which can be reached at 561-7867 or at www.anchoragecrimestoppers.com.
Pierce has served with the department for almost 3 1/2 years.
"She's got a very long road of recovery ahead of her," Lammers said.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
