Maria Sampang, Kaezel Saquilayan Obituary, Death Cause – Authorities in Anchorage, Alaska, have released the names of the three individuals who lost their lives in a single-vehicle crash that occurred near Portage over the weekend. According to a statement issued Thursday by the Anchorage Police Department (APD), the victims have been identified as 51-year-old Jonathan Quintanilla, 46-year-old Maria Sampang, and 23-year-old Kaezel Saquilayan. Police confirmed that their families have been notified.
The tragic incident took place around 9:18 a.m. on Saturday, when officers and emergency crews were called to the area following reports of a crash. Upon arrival, first responders discovered that all three occupants of the vehicle had died at the scene.
The Girdwood Fire Department was the first agency to arrive and assist at the location. Due to the severity of the situation, both directions of Portage Glacier Road were temporarily closed to allow rescue and investigation teams to work safely. The closure affected the stretch of road about 1.5 miles from the junction with the Seward Highway, according to the Anchorage Police Department.
Officials also closed the Whittier Tunnel for a short period as part of the response and cleanup efforts, tunnel authorities confirmed. The road and tunnel were later reopened once investigators completed their on-site work and the area was cleared.
The Anchorage Police Department has not yet released information regarding the possible cause of the crash. Investigators are currently reviewing all available evidence, including vehicle condition, road surface, and weather conditions at the time of the incident. The investigation will determine how the vehicle left the roadway and whether any contributing factors were involved.
Police stated that the collision involved only one vehicle, and no other motorists were affected. The names of the victims were withheld until their next of kin had been informed, a process that was completed earlier this week.
Authorities have not disclosed where the three individuals were traveling from or to at the time of the crash. Media outlets, including Alaska’s News Source, reached out to APD for further details about the victims’ backgrounds, but no additional information had been provided as of Thursday evening.
Community members expressed their sadness over the loss, with many taking to social media to offer condolences and prayers to the families and friends of the victims. Residents of Anchorage and nearby Girdwood described the area near Portage as scenic but sometimes difficult to drive during certain weather conditions.
Local officials have reminded drivers to use extra caution when traveling along the Portage Glacier Road, particularly during early morning hours when visibility and road traction can vary. The road, which connects to the Seward Highway and the Whittier Tunnel, is known for its winding path through mountainous terrain.
The Anchorage Police Department’s Major Collision Investigation Unit is leading the case, and authorities said their work could take several weeks to complete as they carefully reconstruct the events leading up to the crash. Once the investigation concludes, officials are expected to release a full report detailing the findings.
In their statement, APD extended sympathies to the families of Quintanilla, Sampang, and Saquilayan, acknowledging the difficulty of their loss. They also thanked the Girdwood Fire Department, tunnel authorities, and state transportation officials for their assistance in managing traffic and helping clear the area.
This heartbreaking incident has deeply affected the local community, serving as a reminder of the importance of road safety and vigilance when traveling through Alaska’s rural and often unpredictable terrain.
Authorities continue to encourage anyone who may have witnessed the crash or noticed unusual conditions in the area around the time it occurred to reach out to investigators. Any information could help shed more light on the sequence of events that led to the tragedy.
