Autumn Stone Remains in ICU After Moose Strike on Icy Anchorage Road

Firefighters in Anchorage measured forces of 30,000 to 40,000 pounds exerted on the vehicle when a moose landed on the hood, windshield, and roof during a collision Monday night. The impact trapped 18-year-old Autumn Stone inside the badly damaged car. It required several crews using Jaws of Life hydraulic tools to cut her free from the wreckage.

Megan Stone, Autumn's mother, described the medical response to the crash. She stated that EMTs and doctors have expressed surprise that her daughter survived the impact. Stone noted that her daughter was driving home on an icy road when the moose appeared, leaving no time to brake. As of Wednesday, Autumn remained in the intensive care unit, where she is expected to stay for several days.

Anchorage firefighter Jason Dolph explained the physics of such collisions. He said that when a car strikes a moose at highway speeds, the animal is suspended in the air. Upon landing, the weight of the animal is transferred to the vehicle. Dolph indicated that this specific crash placed massive force on the front and upper sections of the car, a dynamic common in high-speed moose strikes.

Cory Stantorf, a Fish and Game Biologist, provided context on the timing of the accident. He stated that the Anchorage area typically experiences about 100 moose-vehicle collisions annually, with numbers increasing during this time of year. Stantorf attributed the rise to the mating season, or rut, which causes moose to move through roadways. He noted that drivers face reduced visibility because the pitch-black mornings lack snow to provide contrast, making it harder to spot the animals.

Stantorf emphasized that drivers have less reaction time in these conditions compared to summer months. He urged motorists to slow down due to the limited contrast and the presence of moose following cows during the commute. The biological factors, combined with the icy road conditions reported by Stone, created a high-risk environment for the Monday night crash.

Stone listed the injuries her daughter sustained, including brain bruising, lacerations, and a broken hand. She said the injuries do not appear catastrophic. Stone viewed photographs of the wreck and expressed relief that her daughter survived. She described the images as horrifying but noted that they provide context for the severity of the event.

The collision occurred on a roadway in Anchorage. The vehicle sustained damage to the hood, windshield, and roof area. Stone's account places the incident during the evening commute. The medical team continues to treat Autumn in the ICU. The incident is part of the annual increase in moose-vehicle interactions in the region.