Anchorage teen in ICU after moose lands on car

An 18-year-old Anchorage resident is recovering in an intensive care unit after a moose crashed through the front of her car on a slick road Monday night.

Megan Stone said her daughter, Autumn, was driving home when the animal entered the lane. Stone believes the driver had no time to apply the brakes because of the icy conditions.

Firefighters arrived to find the vehicle badly damaged with Autumn trapped inside. Several crews worked to free her using hydraulic rescue tools. Jason Dolph, an Anchorage firefighter, explained that moose present a unique danger at highway speeds. When a car strikes the animal, it often becomes suspended in the air before falling back onto the vehicle. In this case, the moose landed on the hood, windshield, and roof. Dolph noted that such impacts can exert between 30,000 and 40,000 pounds of force on the car structure.

Cory Stantorf, a Fish and Game Biologist, stated that the Anchorage area typically sees about 100 collisions between moose and vehicles each year. He said the number of incidents usually rises during this time of the year. Stantorf pointed out that moose are moving because of the mating season, or rut. Drivers face reduced visibility during the morning commute because it is dark and there is no snow on the ground to provide contrast against the animals. He advised motorists to slow down to allow for shorter reaction times compared to summer months.

Stone reported on Wednesday that Autumn remained in the ICU, where she is expected to stay for several days. The 18-year-old suffered brain bruising, lacerations, and a broken hand. Stone said medical staff did not identify any catastrophic injuries. She viewed photos of the wreck and expressed relief that her daughter survived the crash. Stone described the scene as horrifying but noted she is grateful to understand how close her daughter came to being killed.

Medical personnel, including EMTs and doctors, have told the family they are amazed by her survival. The incident occurred on a roadway where drivers frequently encounter wildlife during the early morning hours.