Anchorage Driver Trapped in Wreck After Moose Collision

Fourty thousand pounds of force struck the vehicle when a moose landed on the hood and roof of an 18-year-old woman’s car in Anchorage, Alaska. The collision occurred Monday night on an icy road, trapping driver Autumn Stone inside the badly damaged vehicle.

Firefighter Jason Dolph explained the physics of such crashes. He noted that when a car strikes a moose at highway speeds, the animal is suspended in the air before landing on the vehicle. In this specific incident, the moose landed on the front and top sections of the car. Dolph stated that forces ranging from 30,000 to 40,000 pounds are commonly applied to the structure in these scenarios.

Stone’s mother, Megan Stone, said her daughter had little time to brake when the moose appeared in the roadway. Firefighters arrived at the scene and used Jaws of Life hydraulic rescue tools to cut Autumn free. It took several crews to complete the extraction process.

Autumn Stone remains in the intensive care unit as of Wednesday. Megan Stone reported that her daughter suffered brain bruising, lacerations, and a broken hand. She indicated that there were no catastrophic injuries, though the patient is expected to stay in the ICU for several more days. Medical staff told the family they were amazed she survived the impact.

Cory Stantorf, a Fish and Game Biologist, provided context on local wildlife trends. He said the Anchorage area typically sees about 100 moose-vehicle collisions annually. The number increases during the rutting season when male moose follow cows. Stantorf noted that drivers face reduced visibility during morning commutes in the dark. He added that the lack of snow to illuminate the animals reduces contrast for motorists, requiring slower speeds to allow for reaction time.