Fatal Traffic Collision at Mile 81 on the Seward Highway

Update on 6/26/23:

From the Attorney General’s Office:

June 26, 2023 (Anchorage, AK) – Today, Anchorage Superior Court Judge Andrew Peterson sentenced Michael Anthony Oliver, 42, to a composite sentence of 15 years with four years suspended for two counts of criminally negligent homicide and one count of DUI for causing a vehicle crash that killed a father and daughter. 

On June 22, 2020, Oliver crossed over a double yellow line at mile 81 of the Seward Highway, crashed into a vehicle head on, spun off that vehicle occupied by the Witman family, and was T-boned by a third vehicle.  Oliver’s blood tested positive for methamphetamine. 

The crash resulted in the death of Michael Witman and his six-year-old daughter. Witman’s wife, Delinda, and 9-year-old daughter were seriously injured.  In the third vehicle, Barnaby Longley, his girlfriend Eyrene Ivanoff, and their two young sons were injured.  It was a sunny afternoon with dry roads. Oliver’s vehicle passed an inspection after the crash.  No apparent external forces could be found for the cause of the crash. 

Judge Peterson sentenced Oliver to seven years with two years suspended for causing the death of Michael Witman, consecutive to seven years with two years suspended for causing the death of Witman’s daughter.  Judge Peterson also sentenced Oliver to one year flat, consecutively, for driving under the influence of methamphetamine. 

Update on 6/22/20:

Traffic Investigators are responding to the scene. The Seward Highway will be shut down at Mile 81 (near Portage exit area) in both directions for several hours. Please avoid the area until further notice.

There have been two fatalities. At least four victims have been transported to the hospital; all of their conditions are unknown. The circumstances of the collision are under investigation. More information will be forthcoming.

Original on 6/22/20:

At 2:53 PM on June 22, 2020, Anchorage Police responded to a serious injury collision at mile 81 of the Seward Highway (near the Portage exit). The Highway is shut down in both directions and traffic will be affected for quite some time.

APD Case: 20-19307