Mayor crushed by dumptruck

**213th** · 06-21-07, 03:15 PM

I responded to this call, and served with Mayor Pearson on the city council.

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/ap_al...-8949490c.html

Accident kills mayor of Anderson

The Associated Press

Published: June 20, 2007
Last Modified: June 20, 2007 at 08:48 AM

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - The mayor of a small interior Alaska community was killed when the hydraulics of his dump truck failed and its bed crushed him.

Mike Pearson, 50, the mayor of Anderson, died Monday at his home as he prepared to help clear lots in a new subdivision of the community 76 miles southwest of Fairbanks.

The lots were part of a land giveaway the community used to draw new residents.

Alaska State Troopers said Pearson was adding fluids to the dump truck at about 8 p.m. Monday night. A hydraulic line ruptured and the truck bed fell on him.

Pearson graduated from Anderson School in 1975 and had lived in the community of 536 people for most of his life.

He served on the Anderson City Council from 1986 to 1990 and won election again in 2003, according to city clerk Nancy Hollis. Fellow council members appointed Pearson mayor in 2005.

"An air of sadness is spread across the entire borough," said Denali Borough Mayor David Talerico. "It's a tremendous loss for us, not so much from a municipal perspective but because Mike was just a terrific guy with a great heart."

Pearson spearheaded the wildly popular land giveaway earlier this year. Many residents knew him for his willingness to help and his distinctive, high-pitched laugh.

"Anderson lost one of its best yesterday," Hollis said. "He offered his assistance and friendship to everyone without a moment's hesitation. He was a great family man, not only to his wife and children but also to his extended family, the community of Anderson."

Keith Fetzer, the city public safety director and a councilman, said Pearson had been taking loads of fill from lots the city relinquished in the land giveaway. He was helping new Anderson residents and collecting material for a toboggan hill, Fetzer said.

Emergency responders freed Pearson but could not revive him.

"He was very quiet and very gentle," Fetzer said. "He was not an in-your-face type of individual. He was the type of guy who would give you the shirt off his back. He was good to a fault at times."

Pearson owned two businesses, an Arctic Cat dealership and a heavy equipment rental company, Fetzer said. He volunteered for the Anderson Fire Department and for 20 years was on the Middle Nenana River Fish and Game Advisory Committee, a state advisory panel.

Pearson was less than two years from retiring from his job at Clear Air Station as shop foreman for the vehicle maintenance section. He dedicated about 30 hours a week to his job as mayor, Fetzer said.

"He was always accommodating," said Nenana Mayor Jason Mayrand. "He would go out of his way to help you out with something you needed done."

Vice Mayor Andy Archer will serve the remainder of Pearson's mayoral term, due to expire in the fall.

**Jackalope** · 06-21-07, 03:19 PM

Very sad, but he should have known better. Hydralic lines can blow at any time.

**Jenna** · 06-21-07, 03:21 PM

Sorry for your loss.

**iso607** · 06-21-07, 03:23 PM

Sorry for the loss of your friend 213.
Prayers sent to the family and community.

**213th** · 06-21-07, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by Jackalope

Very sad, but he should have known better. Hydralic lines can blow at any time.

Thats the thing...he did know better. He's been doing this for thirty years, and he has stressed safety countless times to me. He's done this so many times, and always used a safety bar, and nothing happened. And then the one time he got complacent...

His wife actually witnessed it...as did his 13y/o girl

**Willowdared** · 06-21-07, 03:27 PM

Hugs to you 213, and thoughts and prayers enroute for your community.

**E-man** · 06-21-07, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by 213th

Thats the thing...he did know better. He's been doing this for thirty years, and he has stressed safety countless times to me. He's done this so many times, and always used a safety bar, and nothing happened. And then the one time he got complacent...

His wife actually witnessed it...as did his 13y/o girl

Thats brutal. They especially the girl will need help, professional help.
Sorry for your loss

**Buttercup** · 06-21-07, 08:17 PM

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend, 213th.

**BEB** · 06-21-07, 09:00 PM

Sounds like Mike was a good man. Sorry for your, and your community's, loss of such an upstanding person.

**Ianl6** · 06-21-07, 11:04 PM

Being a truck driver myself i know it is so easy for a hydraulic pipe to
go,so condolances about your friend i hope he didn't suffer,
RIP

**Sapper_132** · 06-21-07, 11:14 PM

Sorry for your, and your communitys loss.

**213th** · 06-22-07, 12:13 AM

Originally Posted by BEB

Sounds like Mike was a good man. Sorry for your, and your community's, loss of such an upstanding person.

He was...he did a lot for me personally, and for the community.

**Cidp24** · 06-22-07, 12:17 AM

Sorry for you're loss, the family and the town's loss. Thoughts and prayers on the way.

**213th** · 06-22-07, 12:19 AM

Thanks everyone. The funeral will be on Saturday, and a memorial service will be on base (Clear, AFS) as he was a major part of the base, one of the head civilians.

**213th** · 06-25-07, 02:38 AM

Mike was laid to rest yesterday, buried in Ferry, a small plot of land where he owned a hunting cabin. After the service in Fairbanks, friends and family buried him. To get to Ferry requires driving fourwheelers over a small bridge. Most fourwheelers are to big, so the Alaska Railroad shut down the train tracks so people could use the train trestle

Sun sets in an Alaskan sky,
Eyes look on and hearts lift up high
Here upon this time, shaping broken spirits anew.
Such skies filled with hope and reminiscences of you