Alaska Collision: 18-Year-Old Survives Moose Strike on Icy Road

Megan Stone described the moment her 18-year-old daughter Autumn was pulled from a mangled vehicle on an icy Anchorage road as a stroke of luck that medical staff could not fully explain. The collision happened Monday night when a moose stepped into the path of Autumn’s car, leaving the driver with no time to apply the brakes.

Firefighters found the vehicle badly damaged upon arrival, with Autumn trapped inside. Multiple crews used hydraulic rescue tools to cut her free. Jason Dolph, an Anchorage firefighter, explained the physics of such impacts. He noted that when a car strikes a moose at highway speed, the animal is suspended in the air. In this case, the moose landed on the hood, windshield, and roof. Dolph said the impact generated forces between 30,000 and 40,000 pounds against the car’s structure.

Stone said she has heard from EMTs and doctors that they are amazed her daughter is alive. As of Wednesday, Autumn remains in the intensive care unit. Her injuries include brain bruising, lacerations, and a broken hand. Stone said there do not appear to be catastrophic injuries, but she expects her daughter to stay in the hospital for several days.

Cory Stantorf, a Fish and Game Biologist, said the Anchorage area sees approximately 100 moose-vehicle collisions each year. He noted that the frequency of these crashes rises during the current season. The increase is driven by moose movement associated with the rut, as bulls follow cows. Stantorf added that drivers face additional challenges during this time of year.

He explained that morning commuters and school children are driving in pitch-black darkness. Without snow on the ground to provide visual contrast, the moose are harder to see. Stantorf urged drivers to reduce their speed because reaction times are shorter than in the summer months. Stone said she has viewed photographs of the wreck and feels relieved that Autumn survived the crash.

"It's horrifying to see those photos as her mom, but I'm also grateful, because I can put into context just how close we were to losing her," Stone said. The incident highlights the specific dangers of winter driving in regions with large wildlife populations, where visibility is low and impact forces are high.