Former Anchorage Assembly member Karen Bronga killed in Sterling Highway crash

Former Anchorage Assembly member Karen Bronga was killed Friday afternoon in a crash on the Sterling Highway near Cooper Landing, Alaska State Troopers said.

Troopers said Bronga, 64, of Anchorage, was a passenger in a motorhome struck at mile 62 of the Sterling Highway. Troopers were notified of the collision at 1:36 p.m. July 24.

A preliminary investigation found a Dodge pickup was traveling southbound when it drifted into the northbound lane and hit the motorhome coming the other direction, according to the trooper dispatch.

Bronga was declared dead at the scene. Troopers said her next of kin were notified and her body was sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy.

The adult male driver of the motorhome was taken to a Kenai Peninsula hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The adult female driver of the pickup was medevaced to an Anchorage hospital with serious injuries.

The Sterling Highway was closed about eight hours while investigators worked the scene and crews cleared vehicles and debris. Troopers said dumpsters had to be brought in to collect large amounts of debris from the collision.

Troopers said the cause of the crash remains under investigation. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor, according to troopers.