Feb. 20—Two pedestrians were struck and killed by vehicles in Anchorage on Tuesday night in separate incidents, including one involving a hit-and-run driver who now faces a second-degree murder charge, police said.
The incidents occurred about an hour apart in different parts of town.
Witnesses said the driver of a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado hit a male pedestrian and then fled the scene just before 10 p.m. Tuesday at Minnesota Drive and Northern Lights Boulevard, according to police spokesman Chris Barraza. The truck was traveling “at a high rate of speed” when the man was hit, Barraza said in an email.
Police said they arrested 30-year-old JB Matha after officers acting on a tip located the truck at an address on 14th Avenue. Matha fled on foot but was arrested after a brief pursuit, Barraza said.
Officers found drug paraphernalia and a firearm in Matha’s possession during the arrest, he said.
Matha is facing charges of second-degree murder, felony DUI and refusal, misconduct involving a controlled substance, misconduct involving weapons, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to render aid, driving on a canceled license and violating conditions of release.
The other incident occurred an hour earlier on East Tudor Road and MacInnes Street, Barraza said.
A woman was struck and killed by a vehicle just before 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, police said. Witnesses said the woman was walking on the sidewalk “before entering the roadway, where she was struck,” Barraza said. Witnesses said she was not in a marked crosswalk, he said. Police are investigating whether she was in an unmarked crosswalk.
The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with officers, police said. No arrests had been made as of Wednesday morning.
The deaths of the man and woman were the first and second pedestrian fatalities this year. At least 15 pedestrians died in Anchorage after being struck by vehicles last year.
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