Peltola taken to hospital after Anchorage crash; Fairbanks, Bethel stops moved

A westbound vehicle struck the rear of a car carrying U.S. Senate candidate Mary Peltola at O'Malley Road and Lake Otis Parkway about 6:55 pm Saturday, according to the Anchorage Police Department.

Police said Peltola and the other occupants of her vehicle were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The impact pushed Peltola's vehicle into a third vehicle, police said. Both were stopped at the light. The driver of the first vehicle, the only person in that car, was also taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The occupant of the third vehicle refused medical transport.

The collision remains under investigation, police said.

Peltola's campaign said the family was on its way to the Alaska Federation of Natives annual banquet when another driver struck their vehicle. "Mary and her family sustained minor injuries but are in good spirits," campaign manager Cheryl Bruce said in a statement Sunday. She said Peltola is disappointed that the accident is delaying the start of her Alaska Always Tour.

The campaign, Alaskans for Mary, had announced the eight-community tour Saturday, to run over the seven days before the Nov. 3 general election. On the advice of medical professionals, the campaign said, events in Fairbanks and Bethel set for Sunday and Monday will be rescheduled for later in the week while Peltola recovers. Events in Homer, Kenai, Seward, Juneau, Anchorage and Palmer remain scheduled, and the campaign said it will release an updated schedule.

The crash came 10 days before the election, in which Peltola, a Democrat, is challenging Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. Early voting began Oct. 19.