Press Release

Girdwood Man Sentenced in Fatal 2009 Collision

February 22, 2013

On February 22, 2013, an Anchorage Judge sentenced 36-year-old Benjamin Cosper of Girdwood to spend two years in prison for causing a fatal collision on the Seward Highway at Mile 111.5 of the Seward Highway August 6, 2009. Cosper pled guilty to two counts of criminally negligent homicide for causing the deaths of two occupants. Cosper was driving southbound around noon as he passed several vehicles and ultimately caused a four-vehicle collision

At Friday’s sentencing, Cosper apologized to the families of those who died in the collision. Several family members were present at the hearing and provided victim impact statements. Cosper will be on probation for five years following his release from prison.

Alaska State Troopers from the Girdwood Post and members of the Bureau of Highway Patrol investigated the collision.

CONTACT: Assistant District Attorney Dan Shorey @ (907) 269-6369 at the Anchorage District Attorney’s Office.

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Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.