Man Dies After His Car Hit a Moose Near Alaska’s Denali National Park

A tragic accident near Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska left one person dead and another injured after a vehicle collided with a moose early Friday morning.

The crash occurred around 1 a.m. on August 1, just south of the park entrance on Denali Park Road near Mile 235 of the George Parks Highway, also known as the Parks Highway. The incident was reported by CNN, the Anchorage Daily News, and CBS News.

According to the National Park Service, the driver—a 24-year-old man from Bulgaria—was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, a 24-year-old woman from North Macedonia, was transported to a hospital in Fairbanks, approximately 120 miles away.

“The collision serves as a sobering reminder of the hazards of wildlife along Alaska’s roadways,” the park stated. “Moose, caribou, and other large animals are often active at dawn, dusk, and nighttime hours, and can be difficult to see.”

Officials are working with the Bulgarian Embassy to notify the driver’s next of kin before releasing his identity.

The National Park Service also urged drivers to lower their speed during dark hours and use high-beam headlights when possible to improve visibility.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game estimates that more than 800 moose-related vehicle collisions occur each year. These accidents are often fatal for the animals, and though moose can be drawn to roadside vegetation throughout the year, most collisions happen during winter.

The department recommends a number of safety measures for those driving through “moose country,” including:

• Reducing speed in poor weather and nighttime conditions
• Keeping headlights and windshields clean
• Being aware that if one moose is spotted, others—especially calves—may be nearby
• Watching the roadside carefully for animal movement
• Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles
• Identifying known moose crossing areas
• Using hazard lights to alert other drivers to the presence of wildlife