Driver reportedly intoxicated in fatal accident

Laboratory results from a fatal car accident last month indicate the driver had been under the influence of alcohol prior to the crash.

Rainie Doak had been driving home with her three children on Zimovia Highway late the evening of June 10 when she lost control of the vehicle prior to crossing the Pats Creek Bridge, about 12 miles south of Wrangell. The sports utility vehicle avoided hitting the guard rail but ran into the creek, upturning in the process and discharging the occupants.

Doak and one of the children had been killed at the scene, while the survivors were not discovered until the following evening by a pedestrian. The two were quickly evacuated by air for emergency treatment, and are both now on the mend.

Indications at the scene suggested Doak had been driving well above the posted speed limit on her approach, and that none of the occupants had been fastened in by seat belts. Subsequent toxicology tests at the state laboratory in Anchorage found she had also been intoxicated at the time, at above twice the statutory 0.08 percent blood alcohol content. Results were returned to Wrangell Police Department last week.