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.
Motor Vehicle Collision
Moose Pass—Nov. 20 at approximately 6:40 p.m., a Crown Point based Trooper was dispatched to a motor vehicle crash with injuries involving a moose at mile 47 Seward highway. The driver, Charles Theodor Huguelet of Kenai, was headed to anchorage when he struck a moose that was crossing the highway. Huguelet sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Soldotna hospital, No charges were filed.
Warrant Arrest/Driving While License Suspended
GIRDWOOD—Nov. 24 at 9:35 a.m., Troopers arrested Tyler R. Welch (age 27 of Seward, AK) for Driving While License Suspended and a warrant for Improper use of Evidence of Registration. Welch was contacted on a traffic stop near mile 93 of the Seward Hwy for speeding. Welch was operating an early 90's pickup truck. Welch was issued traffic citations for speeding 80 MPH in a 65 MPH safety zone, Failure To Show Proof Of Insurance, and No Front License Plate. Welch's vehicle was impounded. Welch was arrested and remanded to the Anchorage Correctional Complex on the $50 warrant and DWLS. Bail for the DWLS was set at $500.
Domestic Assault
GIRDWOOD—Nov. 28 at approximately 1 a.m., a Trooper responded to the Sitzmark Bar in Girdwood following the report of an assault. Following an investigation Tyler Schmitt, age 27 of Girdwood, was arrested for assaulting his 25-year-old-wife while seated in their vehicle. Schmitt was eventually transported to the Anchorage Jail where he was held with a $5,000 cash only bail.
Burglary/Assault/Criminal Mischief/Criminal Trespass/Harassment
GIRDWOOD—Nov. 28 at around 11:57 p.m., Soldotna dispatch received a call from a 60 year old and 58-year-old couple in Girdwood, who reported their home was being broken into by a male intruder, later identified as William Andrew Christiansen age 33, of Anchorage. Christensen threw a bench through the front window to gain entrance after unsuccessful attempts to kick the door in. The homeowners barricaded themselves in their upstairs bedroom. Christiansen destroyed most of the first floor, including ripping a an island completely out of the kitchen floor and breaking a gas pipe open, which began to fill the home with natural gas. He proceeded to run upstairs to the bedroom, where the homeowners were still hiding, and to break the bedroom door into pieces. After the suspect entered the bedroom, the male homeowner was able to subdue Christiansen physically, which allowed his wife to escape the bedroom. Both escaped the residence without serious injury. A Girdwood based Trooper and Anchorage Police responded to the scene. They were able to make entry and subdue the subject without incident. Christiansen suffered lacerations to his head, hands, arms and body during the burglary. The Trooper eventually transported him to an Anchorage area hospital. Christensen was later remanded to Anchorage Jail held on $50,000 bail.
Criminal Mischief
MOOSE PASS—Dec. 2 at 8:34 a.m., Crown Point Post based Troopers received a report of damage at a bridge construction site located near mile 25 of the Seward Highway. The damage occurred sometime between the hours of 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. If you have any information, please contact the Alaska State Troopers at 262-4453.
Motor Vehicle Collision with Injuries
COOPER LANDING—Nov. 24 at 2:08 p.m., Troopers along with Cooper Landing EMS responded to a motor vehicle collision with injures at 57.5 mile of the Sterling Highway. An investigation revealed 77 year old Michael Hein of Soldotna, was traveling southbound on the Sterling Highway in his 2008 GMC Serra, when he lost control of the vehicle due to the icy road conditions. The vehicle crossed the centerline and into the northbound ditch where the vehicle overturned and came to rest on the roof. Hein declined medical attention but a passenger in the vehicle was transported to CPH by EMS for injuries. The vehicle was towed from the scene.
Motor Vehicle Collision/Fatality
GIRDWOOD—Dec. 3 at approximately 5:06 am Girdwood Medics, Girdwood AST and Soldotna BHP responded to a fatal crash at milepost 76.1 of the Seward Highway. The single vehicle a 2000 Ford crew cab pickup was submerged in water covering the entire cab. The vehicle was removed from the water and two occupants were located inside, a female driver and male passenger. Both occupants were still in their seatbelts and had to be extricated from the vehicle. The vehicle had significant damage. The passenger was identified on scene as John Cunningham II, age 38 of Sterling. The State Medical Examiner's responded to the scene and took possession of the bodies. The SME's office was later able to identify the second body as Carolyn Crane, age 26 of Sterling. The Anchorage Fire Department was able to respond to the scene with a dive team and conduct an underwater/ice search for any additional victims. No other victims could be found. After contacting the next of kin no other victims are believed to have been in the vehicle. An investigation showed the vehicle slid sideways across the northbound lane rolled several times coming to rest on its top completely submerged in approximately four feet of water except for its tires.
Warrant Arrest
GIRDWOOD—On Dec. 4 at approximately 2 p.m.1405 hours the AST Bureau of Highway Patrol, Kenai Peninsula Team contacted a passenger of a vehicle near mile 103 of the Seward Highway after it was stopped for an equipment violation. The passenger was identified as Seanna M. Jensen, age 19, of Anchorage. Jensen was found to have a $150 warrant for her arrest. The warrant was for failure to appear on the original charge of MCA. Jensen was arrested and remanded at Anchorage Jail where she was held on $150 bail.
Motor Vehicle Collision
GIRDWOOD—Dec. 11 at around 10 p.m. the Troopers' Bureau of Highway Patrol, Kenai Peninsula Team and Girdwood Troopers responded to a report of REDDI near mile of 110 of the Seward Highway. It was reported that a Green 2002 Subaru Legacy was south bound and crossing the center and fog lines. Troopers attempted to contact the Subaru at mile 102 of the Seward Highway but it failed to stop until it crossed the centerline and collided with a Toyota pickup that was north bound. The driver of the Subaru was identified as Michael D. Sheehan, age 65, of Anchorage. The driver of the Toyota was identified as Mason T. Groves, age 18, of Idaho. Both parties were wearing their safety belts. The damage to both vehicles was estimated to be $10,000. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the collision. Sheehan was transported to an Anchorage area hospital by Girdwood EMS for a medical condition. An investigation continues.
DUI
COOPER LANDING—Dec. 13 at about 6 p.m. Troopers received the report that a male identified as David Gayer was in the Sunrise Inn bar consuming alcohol against his conditions of release. The male was contacted within a minute of the report and identified by his AKOL. An investigation revealed Gayer had just arrived at the bar in his silver 2004 Chevrolet pickup and ordered an alcoholic beverage. Gayer was determined to be impaired by alcohol. A records check revealed Gayer was on conditions of release for the original charge of Assault 4th. One of Gayer's conditions was not to consume alcohol or be where alcohol is consumed or sold. Gayer was placed under arrest, transported to the Cooper Landing Post for Datamaster processing, and then transported to the Seward City Jail to be remanded without bail.
