Anchorage Driver Autopsy: 18-Year-Old Survives 40,000-Pound Impact
Firefighters cut a trapped teen from a vehicle after a moose collision on icy roads, an event that occurs roughly 100 times annually in the area.
By Samir Doyle ·
Autumn Stone remains in the intensive care unit at an Anchorage hospital following a high-speed collision with a moose on Monday night. Her mother, Megan Stone, confirmed on Wednesday that her daughter is expected to stay in the ICU for several more days.
The crash occurred on an icy road as Autumn was driving home. Megan Stone stated that her daughter did not have time to brake when the moose appeared in the roadway. Firefighters arrived to find the vehicle badly damaged with the driver trapped inside. Multiple crews used hydraulic rescue tools to cut her free.
Jason Dolph, an Anchorage firefighter, explained the physics of such accidents. He noted that when a car strikes a moose at highway speeds, the animal is suspended in the air and lands back on the vehicle. In this incident, the moose landed on the hood, windshield, and roof. Dolph said this impact places forces of 30,000 to 40,000 pounds onto the car.
Cory Stantorf, a Fish and Game Biologist, provided context on local wildlife traffic patterns. He reported that the Anchorage area typically sees about 100 moose-vehicle collisions each year. This number increases during the current season because moose are moving for the rut while drivers navigate pitch-black roads without snow to provide contrast.
Stantorf emphasized that drivers must reduce speed because reaction time is shorter than in summer months. He noted that the combination of moose following cows and commuters traveling in the dark creates high-risk conditions.
Megan Stone described her daughter’s injuries as including brain bruising, lacerations, and a broken hand. She said there were no catastrophic injuries. Stone called the medical response amazing, noting that EMTs and doctors expressed surprise that Autumn survived the crash.
The mother reviewed photos of the wreck and expressed relief. She described the images as horrifying but stated she was grateful to understand how close the family came to losing her daughter.
