Alaska State Troopers have identified the driver who died and the passenger who was injured on the Parks Highway near Fairbanks Friday after their small car rear-ended a state-operated road grader.
AST spokesperson Megan Peters says Robert Gusty, 20, died in the crash while 19-year-old Brad Gusty suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Troopers were informed of the incident, at Mile 296 of the Parks, at about 12:30 p.m. by a Department of Transportation and Public Facilities employee who was driving the grader. Both vehicles were headed south on the highway at the time of the crash.
Robert Gusty was pronounced dead at the scene, and Brad Gusty was medevaced to a nearby hospital. Peters says their next of kin have been notified.
Peters says current temperatures in the area are about 30 degrees below zero, with a trooper driving on the highway reporting poor road conditions and a low sun angle.
The highway was not closed by the crash, but is down to one lane as troopers investigate the incident.
Contact Chris Klint
