Man injured in March car accident dies

A Homer man critically injured in a March 3 car crash near Anchor Point has died of his injuries. Mark Shufelt, 51, died April 3, Alaska State Troopers announced in a press release earlier this month.

Shufelt was driving south in his 1998 Toyota Tacoma truck near Mile 155 Sterling Highway in Anchor Point when he got in a crash involving a 2005 Ford Taurus being driven north by Donald Krech, 56, of Ninilchik. Both cars left the highway on the west side and rolled numerous times. 

The crash happened on a straight section of the highway, and weather and road conditions were good. 

Shufelt did not wear his seat belt and was thrown from the truck. Krech and his passenger, Timothy Johnson, 54, of Ninilchik wore self belts and had non-life threatening injuries. Emergency responders transported all three men to South Peninsula Hospital. Shufelt was stabilized and later medevaced to Anchorage, said trooper spokesperson Beth Ipsen.

The circumstances of how the crash happened after the two vehicles met is still under investigation, Ipsen said. Other details leading up to the crash also remain under investigation. 

No charges have been filed relating to the crash. Blood draws were done of both drivers, but troopers have not released results.

Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong@homernews.com.