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The Alaska State Troopers reported the following incidents. Any charges reported are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Burglary
COOPER LANDING—Aug. 2 at 8:15 p.m., Troopers received a report that Prospector John’s in Cooper Landing had been broken into sometime during the previous night. An investigation showed that sometime after 8 p.m. on Aug. 1 an unknown person(s) forced entry into the business and stole gold jewelry and coins. The investigation is ongoing.
Driving With a Suspended License
GIRDWOOD—Aug. 2 at around 7:25 p.m., the Troopers Bureau of Highway Patrol Southcentral Team stopped a 2009 Hyundai sedan for speeding at mile 93 of the Seward Highway near Girdwood. The driver was identified as Al Yatlin Jr., 33, of Fairbanks. An investigation revealed that Yatlin was driving with a suspended license. Yatlin was issued a misdemeanor citation for DWLS and a citation for speeding and no proof of insurance.
Motor Vehicle Collision/Fatality
GIRDWOOD—On Aug. 6 at about noon, Troopers received a report of a vehicle crash near Mile 111.5 of the Seward Highway involving five vehicles. A preliminary investigation revealed that a white Dodge crew cab truck driving southbound was attempting to pass a line of cars in a passing zone and pulled into oncoming traffic. A truck towing a U-haul traveling in the northbound lane swerved to avoid the passing truck, however, the passing Dodge clipped the trailer, causing the truck and trailer to roll. The driver’s side of the white Dodge truck landed on the hood of a blue Suzuki sedan following the truck and trailer. The Dodge ran over the top of the car on the driver’s side. The sedan’s driver, Alex Baker, 19, and backseat passenger, Rodney Rogers, 16, both of Soldotna, were killed. A third occupant, Elizabeth Miller, 17, of Soldotna was transported to a medical facility for treatment. A white SUV following the sedan swerved to avoid the collision and was untouched. A red Ford truck following the white SUV was sideswiped by the Dodge truck. The driver and passenger of the SUV escaped injuries. The front tire of the Dodge vehicle then came off, causing the Dodge truck to go into the ditch and hit a rock wall. The driver of the Dodge truck, Benjamin Cosper, 32, of Girdwood, was transported to a hospital with minor injures. The collision involved one southbound vehicle and four northbound vehicles.
DUI/Driving With a Suspended License/Warrant Arrest
GIRDWOOD—Aug. 7 at around 11:40 p.m. a Trooper along with members of the Troopers Bureau of Highway Patrol, responded to the Indian House Saloon near mile 103 of the Seward Highway for a REDDI report. It was reported that a white sports car was weaving all over the roadway. Troopers contacted Joseph Nighswonger, age 54, of Anchorage as he sat in his 2004 white Chrysler Crossfire in the parking lot of the Indian House Saloon. An investigation determined Nighswonger had operated his vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Trooper records indicated Nighswonger’s driver’s license was suspended and he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest stemming from original charges of driving with a suspended license. Court records indicated that Nighswonger has 3 other pending DUI charges since March 2009. Nighswonger was arrested and transported to the Anchorage Jail where bail was set at $8,000.
DUI
GIRDWOOD—Aug. 7 at approximately 9:17 p.m., the Troopers Highway Patrol Southcentral Team stopped a vehicle at Mile 99 of the Seward Highway near Girdwood for a moving violation (Safety Corridor). The operator was identified as Howard Gale Smith Jr., age 42, of North Pole. Smith Jr. was found to be operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Smith Jr. was arrested for DUI. Smith Jr. was transported and remanded to the Anchorage Jail where he was held on a $250 bail.
Warrant Arrest
BIRD CREEK CAMPGROUND—Aug. 8 at approximately 3:00 a.m., a member of the Troopers Bureau of Highway Patrol Southcentral Team along with a Girdwood Trooper responded to a disturbance at the Bird Creek Campground near Mile 101 of the Seward Highway. Troopers contacted Woodrow Killbear, age 21, of Anchorage, during the disturbance. An investigation determined Killbear had an outstanding warrant for his arrest stemming from original charge of Minor Consuming Alcohol. Killbear was arrested and transported to the Anchorage Jail where bail was set at $250.
Driving With a Suspended License/No Insurance/Speeding
GIRDWOOD—Aug. 9 at approximately 6 p.m., a Trooper stopped a 1999 Honda motorcycle for speeding 84 mph in a 65 mph zone at mile 92 of the Seward Highway. This area is within a Highway Safety Corridor. The operator, Dominik Dalton age 21 of Wasilla, was found to be operating the motorcycle without insurance and while his drivers license is suspended. Dalton was summons to appear in court on the charge of DWLS, No Insurance, and he was cited for speeding 84 mph in a 65 mph Safety Corridor.
Warrant Arrest
GIRDWOOD—Aug. 8 at approximately 8:25 p.m., the Troopers Bureau of Highway Patrol, Southcentral Team stopped a vehicle at Mile 93 of the Seward Highway near Girdwood for an equipment violation (Safety Corridor). The rear passenger was identified as James P. Langell, age 25 of Nikiski. Langell was found to have a $1,000 outstanding arrest warrant for driving while license suspended and no insurance. Langell was arrested and transported to the Anchorage Jail for the warrant.
Driving With a Suspended License
GIRDWOOD—On Aug. 8 at around 8:50 p.m., the Troopers Bureau of Highway Patrol South Central Team stopped a vehicle at Mile 99 of the Seward Highway near Girdwood for a moving violation (Safety Corridor). The operator was identified as Devin G. Cleghorn, age 49 of Nikiski. Cleghorn was found to be operating the motor vehicle when his operator’s license was suspended. Cleghorn was issued a misdemeanor citation for driving while license suspended and released to a valid driver.
DUI, Driving with a Revoked License, Warrant Arrest
GIRDWOOD—Aug. 10 at around 8:53 p.m., the Troopers Bureau of Highway Patrol Southcentral team stopped a vehicle near mile 86.7 of the Seward Highway in response to a REDDI report. The operator was identified as Phillip D. Porter, age 47, of Soldotna. Porter was found to be operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol and with a revoked drivers license. Porter was also found to have an outstanding arrest warrant stemming from a previous DUI arrest. Porter was arrested and remanded to the Anchorage Jail where he was held on a $4,000 bail.
Motor Vehicle Collision
COOPER LANDING—Aug. 11 at 7:30 p.m., Troopers responded to a two-vehicle collision near mile 48 of the Sterling Highway. An investigation showed that Jeffrey Briggs, 42 of Anchorage, had been traveling south bound on the Sterling Highway when he slowed to turn into a driveway. Briggs turned left, across the oncoming lane of traffic, into the path of a motorcycle being driven by Cody Brown, 27 of Kenai. The vehicles collided causing non-life threatening injuries to Brown, Brown’s passenger, and Briggs’ passenger. Briggs was cited for failing to yield when turning left and Brown was cited for driving a motorcycle without a motorcycle endorsement. Alcohol was not a factor and seat belts were worn by Briggs and his passenger.
Driving With a Suspended License
INDIAN—Aug. 11 at around 3:26 p.m., the Troopers Bureau of Highway Patrol Southcentral Team, conducted a traffic stop on a 2008 Dodge Caliber for a moving violation near mile 99 of the Seward Highway. The driver was contacted and identified as Alexander Velez-Cruz, age 33 of Anchorage. An investigation determined Velez-Cruz had operated his vehicle while his driver’s license was suspended. Velez-Cruz was issued a misdemeanor citation to appear in court.
Marijuana Possession
GIRDWOOD—Aug. 11 at approximately 8:30 p.m., the Troopers Bureau of Highway Patrol Southcentral Team, conducted a traffic stop on a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe for a moving violation near mile 93 of the Seward Highway. The passenger was contacted and identified as Joe Stewart, age 49 of Anchorage. An investigation determined Stewart was in possession of marijuana. The marijuana was seized and Stewart was issued a misdemeanor citation to appear in court.
Driving With a Suspended License
GIRDWOOD—Aug. 12 at approximately 1:50 p.m., the Troopers Bureau of Highway Patrol Southcentral team stopped a vehicle near mile 117 of the Seward Highway for speeding. An investigation revealed the driver of the vehicle, Jordan Baumeyer , age 18 of Eagle River has a suspended driver’s license in the State of Alaska. Baumeyer was issued a misdemeanor citation for DWLS and released at the scene.
DUI
COOPER LANDING—Aug. 13 at around 7:55 p.m., Troopers received a report of a motor vehicle collision without injuries near mile 55 of the Sterling Highway. On scene, Troopers contacted the driver of a blue Chevrolet Cobalt, Richard Fischer, 66 of Arkansas, and a gray Toyota Camary driven by Thomas Pearson, 58 of Kodiak. An investigation revealed that Pearson’s vehicle had collided with the rear of Fischer’s as traffic was slowing to observe wildlife. An investigation revealed that Pearson was Driving Under the Influence of alcohol; Pearson was placed under arrest and his vehicle was impounded by Hamilton’s Towing. He was transported to Soldotna Trooper post where he provided a sample of his breath, which resulted in a breath .097 alcohol level. Pearson was then transported to Wildwood Correctional Facility where he was remanded on one count of driving while intoxicated and issued a citation for Following To Closely. Both drivers were seat belted and both vehicles received a moderate amount of damage.
Marijuana Possession
GIRDWOOD—Aug. 16 at 4:40 p.m., the Troopers Bureau of Highway Patrol Southcentral Team stopped a 2001 Dodge pickup for an equipment violation at mile 98 Seward Highway. The driver was identified as Daniel Delozier, 21of Anchorage. An investigation revealed that Delozier was in possession of marijuana. Delozier was issued a misdemeanor citation for Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance VI and released on scene. An investigation revealed that Delozier was in possession of marijuana. Delozier was issued a misdemeanor citation for Misconduct Involving a controlled substance VI and released on scene.
