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.
DUI, Refusal, Probation Violation
GIRDWOOD—May 16 at approximately 7 p.m. the Trooper Bureau of Highway Patrol, Kenai Peninsula Team-Girdwood stopped a vehicle near mile 96 of the Seward Highway after it was called in as a REDDI. An investigation revealed Alice Welling, Age 47, of Anchorage was driving under the influence. Welling was arrested for DUI. Welling later refused to submit to a chemical test. Further investigation revealed that Lloyd Jenkins, age 29, of Anchorage, was a passenger in the vehicle. Jenkins was on probation with a no alcohol condition. Jenkins was violating his probation. Welling was charged with DUI and Refusal. Welling was remanded to Anchorage Jail where she was remanded on $500 bail. Jenkins was arrested on the probation violation and remanded at the Anchorage Jail with no bail.
Warrant Arrest
GIRDWOOD—May 21 at around 8 p.m., a Trooper from Girdwood contacted Justin Watkins, age 29 of Anchorage, during a traffic stop near mile 73 of the Seward Highway. An investigation revealed that Watkins had an outstanding $ 5000 warrant for his arrest. Patrick was transported to and lodged at the Anchorage Jail.
Search and Rescue
TURNAGAIN ARM—May 22 at 3:50 p.m., Soldotna dispatch received a call reporting a snowmachine crash that happened within a few miles of the parking area at Mile 68 Seward Highway. Troopers responded via snowmachine and met up with the complainant and the victim, Kenneth Karcz, 24, of Anchorage. Karcz was jumping his snowmachine when the snowmachine lost power in mid-air, dipping the nose down. Karcz slammed into the handlebars on the landing and vaulted over the handlebars and ended up underneath the snowmachine. Karcz suffered numerous broken bones and was airlifted by Lifemed from the scene to an Anchorage hospital for treatment. Personnel from the U.S. Forest Service, and Girdwood and Cooper Landing emergency medical services responded to the area to help in the medical evacuation
DUI, Minor Consuming Alcohol, Minor Operating after Consuming Alcohol
GIRDWOOD—May 22 at around 9 p.m., the Trooper Bureau of Highway Patrol Kenai Peninsula Team-Girdwood, contacted Zachary T. Durling, age 17 of Anchorage, after the vehicle he was operating was stopped near mile 100 of the Seward Highway, which is a designated Highway Safety Traffic Corridor, for a moving violation. Investigation revealed that Durling was operating a motor vehicle while impaired and under the influence of alcohol. Durling consumed alcohol and operated a motor vehicle while being under the age of 21. Durling was arrested for Driving Under the Influence, Minor Consuming Alcohol and Minor Operating after Consuming Alcohol and his bail was set at $500. Durling and his vehicle were released to his parent.
Fugitive from Justice
GIRDWOOD—May 24 at 3:26 p.m., a Trooper posted in Girdwood stopped a 2004 Ford pickup for speeding near mile 83 Seward Highway. An investigation revealed that the driver, David Michael Tomlin, age 43 of Sterling, was a Fugitive From Justice out of Michigan for Failure to Pay Child Support and Leaving the state of Michigan. Tomlin was arrested and remanded to the Anchorage jail where he was held without bail.
DWLR, Driving in Violation of Restricted License, Operating a Motor Vehicle without Insurance
MOOSE PASS—May 24 at 12:46 p.m., a Cooper Landing based State Trooper stopped vehicle at mile 32 of the Seward Highway for a traffic violation. Troopers contacted the driver, Mick Batey, 48, of Seward. An investigation revealed Batey was operating a vehicle while his Alaska license is currently in revoked status. Investigation also revealed that Batey was driving in violation of his limited license by not having an Ignition Interlock Device installed in his vehicle. Troopers also learned Batey was operating a motor vehicle without insurance. Batey was arrested for the charges and remanded at the Seward Jail without incident. The vehicle was towed from the scene.
DUI
GIRDWOOOD—May 24 at 8:13 p.m., a Trooper stopped a 1978 Lincoln MK5 on Arlberg Road because the driver was operating the vehicle without wearing a seat belt. Investigation revealed the driver, Peter Brian Coleman, age 56 of Girdwood, was driving under the influence of alcohol. Coleman was issued citations for failure to wear his seat belt and no proof of insurance. Coleman was arrested for DUI and later remanded to the Anchorage Jail, held on $250 bail.
Warrant Arrest
COOPER LANDING—May 26 at 5:11 p.m., a Cooper Landing based State Trooper stopped a vehicle at mile 42 of the Sterling Highway for a traffic violation. A passenger in the vehicle 40-year-old Devon Henson Sr. of Soldotna was subsequently arrested for an outstanding $3,000 arrest warrant for fail to comply with alcohol screening recommendations, original charge DUI. Henson was transported to and remanded at the Seward Jail without incident.
Driving While License Suspended, Driving in Violation of Restricted License
COOPER LANDING—May 26 at 1:47 p.m., a Trooper stopped a vehicle at mile 40 of the Sterling Highway for a traffic violation. The driver, 21 year old Daniel Trumble of Anchorage, was contacted and subsequently arrested for driving with a suspended driver's license. Troopers also discovered Trumble was operating the vehicle in violation of a restriction placed on his driver's license, by not wearing corrective lenses. Trumble was arrested and transported to the Seward Jail and remanded. The vehicle was released to the registered owner.
Motor Vehicle Collision
COOPER LANDING—May 27 at 1:23 p.m., a Trooper responded to a residence in Cooper Landing to investigate a motor vehicle collision that occurred in the early morning hours. Investigation revealed Gary McFadden, 60, of Cooper Landing was traveling northbound on the Sterling Highway at mile 52. McFadden was operating his 2005 Harley Davidson Motorcycle when a moose entered the roadway directly into his lane of travel. McFadden took evasive action and veered into the southbound ditch where he collided with a stump. McFadden sustained injures as a result of his collision and was transported by Cooper Landing EMS to Central Peninsula Hospital. Further investigation revealed McFadden was operating his motorcycle without motorcycle enforcement.
Driving While License Revoked
MOOSE PASS—May 28 at approximately 3:49 p.m., a Crown Point based Trooper conducted a traffic stop at mile 29 of the Seward Highway for an equipment violation. An investigation revealed that the driver Christian Foldenauer, 21 years old of Seward, was driving while her license was suspended. Foldenauer was issued a misdemeanor citation for Driving While License Revoked and released.
Assault
INDIAN—May 28 at around midnight, a Trooper responded to the Brown Bear Saloon near Girdwood for the report of a domestic assault. Following an investigation Andrey Olsen, age 40 of Indian, was arrested on the charge of Assault 3rd Degree and lodged at the Anchorage Jail.
Death Investigation
GIRDWOOD—May 28 at 2:05 p.m., an employee of the Alpine Diner in Girdwood flagged down a Trooper at the Girdwood Post. The restaurant is located next to the Post. The employee reported that a male cook, identified as 45-year-old Timothy Mellinger, was down in the kitchen and having a heart attack. The Trooper responded with an AED and breathing apparatus and began life saving efforts along with an US Air Force medic and a nurse who were eating at the restaurant. A short time later Girdwood EMS arrived on scene and began treating Mellinger. Efforts to revive Mellinger were not successful. Representatives from the Alaska State Medical Examiners Office responded to the scene and are investigating. Mellinger's family has been notified. Foul play is not suspected.
Drunk on Licensed Premise, Disorderly Conduct
GIRDWOOD—May 28 at around 3 a.m., a Trooper from Girdwood responded to the Chair Five restaurant for the report of a fight in progress. Upon arrival it was determined that Addison Fink, age 28 of Girdwood, was heavily intoxicated and fighting with the bar staff. Fink sustained injury as a result of the bar staff defending themselves from Fink's attack. Girdwood EMS responded to evaluate his injuries. Fink refused treatment and was transported to the Anchorage Community Sleep Off Center at the Anchorage Jail to sober up. Charges of being intoxicated on a licensed premise and disorderly conduct will be forwarded to the Anchorage District Attorney's Office for review.
Motor Vehicle Crash
GIRDWOOD—May 29 at 11:30 a.m., a Trooper responded to the report of a motor vehicle crash involving damage near mile 101 of the Seward Highway. An investigation revealed that Robert Popken, age 56 of Seward, was driving his Ford Pickup and had turned into the Essential One Gas Station directly in front of a Buick sedan driven by Helen Coe, age 55 of Girdwood. Fearing a collision, Coe slammed on her brakes and veered toward the left. In doing so she impacted a Toyota Tacoma Pickup driven by Heather Williams, age 37 of Anchorage, and a Subaru wagon driven by Naofumi Shiraishi, age 29 of Fairbanks. All of the vehicles involved were drivable following the collision. Popken was cited as the at fault driver.
Warrant Arrest
COOPER LANDING—May 29 at approximately 7:44 p.m., the Trooper Bureau of Highway Patrol, Southcentral Team contacted Michael R. Fisher Jr., age 38 of Anchorage after he was stopped for a moving violation. Fisher was found to have an outstanding Anchorage AST $250 cash or corporate warrant on the original charge of failure to maintain alcohol server card. Fisher was arrested and remanded to the Seward Jail. The vehicle was released to a third party.
Possession of Marijuana
COOPER LANDING—May 29 at approximately 6:54 p.m., the Trooper Bureau of Highway Patrol, South Central Team contacted Jennifer R. Kelly, age 26 of Anchorage after she was stopped for a moving violation. Kelly was found to be in possession of marijuana. Kelly was issued a criminal citation for Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance in the Sixth Degree. Kelly was released on scene.
Possession of Methamphetamine, Reckless Driving
GIRDWOOD—May 30 at 6:30 p.m., the Alaska Bureau of Highway Patrol Kenai Peninsula Team-Girdwood, contacted Frankie Dupuis, age 29 of Soldotna, after the vehicle she was driving was observed passing five vehicles in a no pass zone near mile 95 of the Seward Highway, which is a designated Highway Safety Traffic Corridor. While Dupuis was passing, she was traveling at 90 MPH and nearly collided with the trooper in the opposite lane. Subsequent investigation revealed that Dupuis was in possession of methamphetamine. Dupuis was arrested for reckless driving and MICS 4. She was remanded into the custody of Anchorage jail with bail set at $4,500 cash.
Possession of Marijuana
COOPER LANDING—May 30 at around 4:21 p.m., the Trooper Bureau of Highway Patrol, South Central Team contacted Eric A. Cruz, age 22 of Anchorage, after he was stopped for a moving violation. Cruz was found to be in possession of marijuana. Cruz was issued a criminal citation for Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance in the Sixth Degree. Cruz was released on scene.
Misconduct Involving Weapons
COOPER LANDING—May 30 at approximately 11:42 p.m., Trooper dispatch in Soldotna received a 911 call that Roger Sellers, 41 of Cooper Landing, had been shot. An investigation revealed that while Sherman Smith, 25 years old of Kenai, was attempting to unload his firearm, the weapon discharged striking Sellers in the hand and groin. The incident is still under investigation.
Search and Rescue
PORTAGE—May 31 at around midnight, Joseph Kron, 27, of Anchorage, called 911 to report that while out rafting down Portage Creek, he had become separated from the other three members of his party and one was missing. Spencer Kiddle, 31, of Anchorage, and Travis Markham, 29 of Anchorage, were located but they were unable to locate the 4th party, Daniel Chugaev, 17, of Anchorage. While gathering information from Joseph Kron, Girdwood Fire received a call from Daniel Chugaev stating his raft had deflated on some rocks and he had walked to the first Portage railroad tunnel Safe House. A Girdwood Trooper and Girdwood Fire responded to the scene where they met up with Kiddle, Markham, and Kron. Girdwood Fire swam across the river to recover Chugaev who was transported back on a small raft. He was treated for mild hypothermia and released to his guardians.
Motor Vehicle Collision
MILE 111 SEWARD HIGHWAY—June 5 around 7 p.m., a Trooper to mile 111 Seward Highway for a motorcycle collision. An investigation revealed Saul Gabriel Rivera-Acevedo, age 20 of Fort Richardson, lost control of his 2005 Yamaha 600 motorcycle while rounding a curve near mile 111 then left the roadway, crashing into the ditch. The bike received approximately $3,000 worth of damages. Rivera-Acevedo was treated for minor injuries on scene by Anchorage EMS. Rivera-Acevedo received a citation for failure to provide proof of insurance.
House Fire
MOOSE PASS—June 7 at 2 a.m., a Cooper Landing based State Trooper and members from the Cooper Landing, Moose Pass, Bear Creek volunteer Fire Department and the Seward Fire Department responded to the scene of a residence fully engulfed in flames at mile 35.5 of the Seward Highway. The residence was unoccupied at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported. The residence was a complete loss. An investigation continues.
Troopers Rescue Woman on trail from Black Bear
HOPE—June 9 at around 8 p.m., Trooper dispatch in Soldotna received a call from Patricia Raymond of Anchorage, reporting that she was currently on the Gull Rock Trail, at the Porcupine Campground in Hope. Raymond advised she is unable to make it to the trail head due to an aggressive black bear. Raymond remained behind a tree until a Cooper Landing based State Trooper and an Officer from the US Forest Service arrived on scene at around 9:30 p.m.. Troopers located Raymond approximately 2.5 miles from the trail head behind a tree across from the black bear that was protecting her two cubs. Raymond was taken back to the trail head and no injuries were reported.
