This week, heartbreak struck the Copper River region with the tragic loss of two young men in a crash on the Richardson Highway. Nineteen-year-old Anthony Nelson of Tazlina and Nathaniel Kroto of Gakona lost their lives when their vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree near Mile 122 in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

According to Alaska State Troopers, the crash involved a Toyota Camry carrying three people. One passenger miraculously survived without injury. Authorities noted that seat belts were not in use and that speed is suspected to have played a role, although the exact circumstances remain under investigation. These young men were more than just names in a news article. They were sons, friends, teammates, and members of tight-knit communities that now mourn deeply. The suddenness of their loss prompted the cancellation of the Copper River Basketball Tournament—a beloved local event—in honor of their memory. As one event coordinator wrote, “We send our condolences to the Ahtna families who have lost their loved ones and please keep them in prayer.”

Grief in a small community like ours ripples far and wide. At times like this, families often seek not only closure but also clarity. How did this happen? Could anything have prevented it? Was something more at play—vehicle malfunction, poor road conditions, or missed warnings? These are the hard questions families are often left to ask, on top of their already unbearable loss. As a local personal injury attorney who has spent my life standing up for Alaskan families, I believe deeply in helping people get answers—and justice—when tragedy strikes. If your family has been affected by this crash, and you need someone to walk alongside you in the process of understanding what happened and what comes next, I’m here to help.

To the families of Anthony and Nathaniel: my heart goes out to you. May your sons be remembered for the light they brought into your lives and the lives of so many around them. And may your community surround you with strength and compassion in the difficult days ahead.

—Eric Derleth, Attorney at Law
Friend-in-Law