24-year-old tourist dies after striking moose near AK national park, officials say
A driver died after hitting a moose near the entrance of Alaska’s Denali National Park, officials say.
The 24-year-old Bulgarian man was driving on George Parks Highway “just south of the entrance to the Denali Park Road” at about 1 a.m. Friday, Aug. 1, when he hit a moose with his car, the National Park Service said in a news release.
The driver was pronounced dead on scene, while the car’s passenger, a 24-year-old woman from North Macedonia, was hurt in the crash and taken to a hospital for treatment, officials said.
Officials said they are working with the Bulgarian Embassy to notify the man’s family of his death, adding that his name will not be released until they’ve been notified.
An investigation into the collision is ongoing, officials said.
“The collision serves as a sobering reminder of the hazards of wildlife along Alaska’s roadways,” officials said. “Moose, caribou, and other large animals are often active at dawn, dusk, and nighttime hours, and can be difficult to see.”
Officials urged drivers to slow down in low-light situations; be alert for “animals near or on the roadway;” when possible, drive with high beam headlights on; and to “always wear seatbelts and avoid distractions while driving.”
