The State of Alaska will retry Dustin Ruckman in a fatal 2019 Unalaska car crash, following a hung jury mistrial earlier this year.
Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews scheduled a tentative April 2026 trial date for Ruckman during a status hearing Tuesday, though Matthews said his goal is to have the retrial sooner.
Ruckman, now 24, faces felony charges for his involvement in the deaths of Karly McDonald, 16, and Kiara Renteria Haist, 18.
On May 9, 2019, Ruckman was driving his truck when it went off the side of Mount Ballyhoo with the two teens inside. McDonald and Renteria Haist were ejected from the vehicle as it fell 900 feet and died. Ruckman sustained minor injuries and told police he was thrown from the vehicle.
The case went to trial in Anchorage in April after the court was unable to find an impartial jury in Unalaska in March. An Anchorage jury deliberated for more than three days but failed to reach a unanimous decision. Judge Matthews declared a mistrial and Ruckman is expected to once again go before a jury.
Defense attorney Julia Moudy plans to file a renewed motion for acquittal and a motion to dismiss the indictment by June 13. She told the court that she is booked with trials nearly every month through April 2026.
The state will assign a new prosecutor to lead the retrial, as current Assistant District Attorney Patrick McKay Jr. plans to leave Alaska’s Department of Law in the coming weeks. Who will take his place is currently unknown.
The next status hearing for Ruckman’s case is scheduled for July 23.
