TRAFFIC FATALITY: BRAYTON DR. AND MOCKINGBIRD DR.

TRAFFIC FATALITY​: BRAYTON DRIVE AND MOCKINGBIRD DRIVE​     ​ 

DATE/TIME OF INCIDENT:  May 23, 2025 / 00:33 hrs

ROAD CLOSURES: ​NB on ramp ​Brayton Dr. is closed from E Dowling Rd. while investigators with the Major Collision Investigation Unit (MCIU) process the scene. Please use alternative routes. 

UPDATE at 9:15 AM on 5/23/25: At 12:36 AM on May 23, 2025, Anchorage Police and Anchorage Fire Department responded to the area of Brayton Drive and Mockingbird Drive for a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. AFD Medics declared the adult male deceased on scene.

Initial indications are that two pedestrians were walking south on or along Brayton Drive near Mockingbird Drive when one adult male was struck by a vehicle heading northbound on Brayton. The other pedestrian was uninjured. The vehicle fled the scene and remains outstanding. This is an ongoing investigation; more information will be released as it becomes available.

Anyone with surveillance footage of the area, or other information regarding this incident, is asked to call APD Dispatch at 3-1-1 (option #1) or 907-786-8900 (option #0). To remain anonymous, you may contact Crime Stoppers online at www.AnchorageCrimeStoppers.com

Brayton Drive has been reopened. Thank you for your patience.

UPDATE AT 3:30 PM on 5/23/25: The vehicle has been located and the MCIU is now in contact with the driver.  This investigation is ongoing; no charges have been filed at this time.

The adult male has been identified as 33-year-old Aaron Cleveland. NOK procedures have been completed.

UPDATE ON 6/6/2025: Through the investigation, it was determined 45-year-old Wesley Smith was driving the vehicle responsible for the fatal accident. On June 5, 2025, Smith was taken into custody and charged with Leaving Accident w/o Assisting Injured and Leaving Scene Of Accident - Involve Injury/Death.

The investigation is ongoing; more charges may be forthcoming.

APD CASE:  ​25-15633