No indication of targeted attack behind Peltola car crash in Anchorage

An official with the Anchorage Police Department said Monday that there is no evidence that Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mary Peltola was deliberately targeted in a weekend car accident that injured her and members of her family.

“There is nothing new to share and at this time, there are no indications that this was a targeted attack,” said Gina Romero, director of the department’s community relations unit.

Australian lawmaker Helen Haines was critically injured after someone repeatedly rammed her with a car earlier this month. 

Public polling indicates Peltola may have a small lead over incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan in the ongoing election. Alaska’s U.S. Senate race is one of a handful that could determine whether Democrats or Republicans control the Senate. 

According to a weekend bulletin from the Anchorage Police Department, a vehicle containing Peltola and members of her family was hit from the rear shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday while stopped at the intersection of O’Malley Road and Lake Otis Parkway. 

The crash was severe enough that it pushed Peltola’s vehicle into another car ahead of it.

“The occupants of vehicle 2, which included U.S. Senate candidate Mary Peltola, were transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver and sole occupant of the first vehicle was also transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries,” the department said on Saturday.

The Beacon submitted public records requests Monday for video, audio and documents about the crash.

In a statement Sunday, Peltola’s campaign manager said events scheduled Sunday and Monday were being postponed.

“Mary and her family sustained minor injuries but are in good spirits. Unfortunately, per the advice of medical professionals, Mary’s upcoming events in Fairbanks and Bethel will be rescheduled for later in the week as she takes time to recover,” said campaign manager Cheryl Bruce by email.