Wasilla Police Department’s best still shows a black pickup leaving the scene of today’s Financial Drive crash.
By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | April 2, 2026
The Wasilla Police Department is asking the public for help identifying a driver who fled the scene of a crash that left another motorist injured.
According to police, the hit and run happened when a truck pulled out from a side road and struck another vehicle. The driver then left the scene without stopping to check on the other driver or provide information as required by law.
Investigators say witnesses described the driver as an older man who had a dog inside the truck. No license plate number was captured.
Officer Nate with Wasilla Police is asking anyone who may recognize the driver or the truck in the video released by the department to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to call 907-352-5401, select the option for dispatch, and reference case 26-0640.
A Dangerous Turn Locals Know Well
The crash also highlights a traffic problem many Mat-Su drivers say they see regularly.
Residents say Financial Drive, the side road where the truck entered traffic, has long been a difficult and potentially dangerous place to turn left onto East Palmer-Wasilla Highway. During busy periods, traffic can stay nearly continuous in both directions, leaving drivers with limited visibility and very small gaps to work with.
Drivers attempting the turn often cannot clearly see oncoming vehicles because traffic stacks up in the lanes closest to the intersection, blocking sightlines.
Many regular drivers along the corridor say the biggest hazard is what traffic engineers sometimes call a “courtesy gap.” When traffic backs up, drivers in one lane often leave space to allow someone on Financial Drive to turn left. While meant to be helpful, that gap can block the turning driver’s view of vehicles traveling in the next lane. Believing the way is clear, drivers commit to the turn only to encounter traffic they could not see, creating the kind of sudden conflict that can lead to crashes, such as the one today.
Some residents say the intersection would be safer with a traffic signal, turn restriction, or other design change that removes the need for drivers to judge those gaps on their own.
Who To Contact About The Intersection
Drivers who want to report safety concerns or request a traffic study at the East Palmer-Wasilla Highway and Financial Drive intersection have a couple of options depending on who controls the roadway.
Because East Palmer-Wasilla Highway is a state-maintained road, concerns about signals, turn restrictions, or other traffic safety improvements can be reported to the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF). The agency evaluates intersections based on crash history, traffic counts, and visibility before deciding whether a signal or other safety change is warranted.
Residents can contact DOT’s regional office through the state transportation website or by calling the general DOT&PF line at 907-269-0700.
Local concerns can also be raised with the City of Wasilla Public Works Department, which tracks traffic issues within city limits and can coordinate with the state if a highway intersection needs review. The department can be reached at:
City of Wasilla Public Works
Phone: 907-373-9050
Email: publicworks@cityofwasilla.gov
For residents frustrated with dangerous turning conditions, officials say community complaints and crash reports can help trigger a formal safety review.
