The following incidents were reported to Detachment E of the Alaska State Troopers. Any charges reported are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Personal Use Fishing Without a License: On May 21, Aleksey Vodlenshchuk, 24, of Wasilla, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for personal use fishing without a valid 2008 sport fish license. Bail is set at $210 at Anchorage District Court.
Suspended Driver’s License/Speeding: On May 23 at approximately 6:25 p.m., a Trooper initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding near mile 94 of the Seward Highway, which is in the safety corridor. Investigation revealed the driver of the vehicle, Michael Milo, age 29 of Anchorage, was operating with a suspended driver’s license. Milo was issued a summons to appear in court. Milo was also issued a traffic citation for speeding. The vehicle was released to a licensed driver at the scene.
Rocks Fall On Vehicle: On May 24 at approximately 3:45 p.m., a Trooper responded to mile 106 of the Seward Highway following a report that rocks had fallen in to the highway and struck a vehicle. An investigation revealed that Robert Brooks, age 57 of Soldotna, and his wife Kathleen Brooks, age 57 and also of Soldotna, had been driving south on the Seward Highway near mile 106 when large rocks fell from near the top of a rock face which was approximately 200 feet tall. The rocks struck the roadway as well as Brooks’s 2008 Ford F-350 pickup causing extensive damage to the front of the pickup and tearing multiple gouges in the pavement. One area of damage on the highway was approximately two feet wide and 18 inches deep. Robert Brooks sustained non-life threatening injuries and declined medical attention. Anchorage DOT responded to the area to clear the rocks from the roadway and repair the pavement.
Motor Vehicle Collision/Fatality: On May 27 at 10:47 p.m., the Troopers received a report of a motor vehicle crash near mile 94.9 of the Seward Highway. It was reported that one of the passengers was entrapped and having difficulty breathing. Investigation revealed that a 1998 Subaru Legacy Wagon had been traveling south on the Seward Highway when the 15-year-old female driver lost control for undetermined reasons. The vehicle traveled across both southbound and the northbound lanes, exited the roadway, and rolled one-and-a-half times. The vehicle sustained heavy damage. Jeffrey Morgan, age 17 of Anchorage, was transported to Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage by Girdwood EMS with life threatening injuries. The 15-year-old driver and a 16-year-old female passenger were transported to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage where they were treated for minor injuries and released. On the afternoon of May 30, Morgan succumbed to his injuries in the company of next of kin. It is suspected that lack of seat belt use was a factor in the outcome of this crash. The investigation is ongoing.
Reckless Driving: On June 4, at approximately 7:30 p.m., a Trooper responded to a complaint of a vehicle speeding far in excess of the post speed limit and passing in no passing zones almost causing head on collisions between Indian and Bird Point on the Seward Highway, which is within the Highway Safety Corridor. As a result of an
investigation, Andrew Higgins, age 18 of Anchorage, will be charged with Reckless Driving.
Warrant Arrest: On June 5 at 9:21 p.m., a Trooper stopped a 2002 Audi for an equipment violation near mile one of the Alyeska Highway in Girdwood. An investigation revealed the driver, Aaron T. Finnigan, age 25 of Girdwood, had a $200 outstanding arrest warrant for failure to appear for DWLS. Finnigan was arrested and transported to Anchorage Jail where he was remanded into custody.
Fishing During Closed Season: On June 4, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited the fallowing individuals for personal use fishing for hooligan during a closed season; Alcabone Vaifanua, 55,of Anchorage, Leutu Vaifanua, 44, of Anchorage, John Thomas, 53, of Anchorage, and Poe Faamasino, 45, of Anchorage. Bail is set at $110 each in Anchorage District Court. AWT would like to remind people personal use fishing for hooligan closed May 31 in the salt water along Turnagain Arm. The fresh water along
Turnagain Arm is opened until June 15.
Boating Accident Portage Lake: On June 6, at approximately 4 p.m., Troopers from Soldotna received a report from Portage Glacier Cruises that their vessel, the M/V Ptarmigan, struck an iceberg on Portage Lake while returning from a glacier tour. The impact caused many of the passengers to fall, five of which sustained injury. There were approximately 190 people aboard the vessel at the time of the crash. Two Troopers from Girdwood as well as ambulances from Girdwood Fire/EMS and the Anchorage Fire Department responded to the scene. Three of the injured declined further treatment after being evaluated. Two were transported to an Anchorage area hospital for evaluation and treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The vessel had been traveling at a low speed at the time of the impact and was not damaged. The United States Coast Guard was notified of the incident and responded to investigate.
Driving with a Revoked License/Speeding: On June 7 at 10:25 p.m., a Trooper stopped a 1991 Dodge Spirit for speeding near mile 97 Seward Highway. An investigation revealed the driver, Sam A. M. Garcia, age 20 of Seward, was driving with a revoked license. Garcia was issued a speeding citation and a summons for DWLR then released on scene. The vehicle was released to a licensed driver.
Warrant Arrest: On June 7, at 1:25 a.m., a Trooper stopped a 2003 Dodge Neon for speeding near mile 94 Seward Highway. An investigation revealed a passenger in the vehicle, Phillip Duane Newsome, age 19 of Soldotna, had two outstanding arrest warrants for failure to appear in court for DWLS totaling $750. Newsome was arrested on the warrants and later remanded to the Anchorage Jail.
Motor Vehicle Crash: On June 9, just past midnight, a Trooper responded to mile 107.5 of the Seward Highway for the report of a vehicle crash. An investigation revealed William Frank Miller, age 56 of Anchorage, had driven his 2004 Subaru Legacy off of a 40-foot embankment after leaving the roadway and crashed in a ditch approximately 5 feet from the railroad tracks on the Turnagain Arm. Miller was transported by the Anchorage Fire Department to Providence Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. Damages to the Subaru are estimated at $10,000.No citations were issued.
DUI: On June 10, at 2:37 p.m. Troopers arrested Dayne C. Haskell, age 36 of Anchorage, for DUI. Haskell was operating a 2000 model small pickup truck on Indian Rd. near mile 103 of the Seward Highway when he drove the vehicle into the ditch and got stuck. Haskell displayed several indicators of impairment and refused to perform any field sobriety tests. Haskell was arrested for the DUI and transported to AST Post Girdwood. Haskell’s vehicle was impounded. Haskell refused to perform the breath test and received an additional charge of Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test. Haskell was remanded to the Anchorage Correctional Complex with bail set at $500 plus having to be sober when released.
Search and Rescue: On June 8, at approximately 6:20 p.m. the State Trooper Dispatch Center in Soldotna received a 911 call from John Ammer, age 46 of Vienna Virginia, who was reporting that he had hiked from the McHugh Creek Trailhead earlier in the day and was now lost. Ammer was able to maintain sporadic cell phone contact with a Trooper in Girdwood and Soldotna AST Dispatch. He reported that he was attempting to locate Rabbit Lake but believed he was lost on a mountain ridge in the clouds above Turnagain Arm. A Trooper from Girdwood responded to the general area along with Helo 1. Ammer was located near Rabbit Lake at approximately 1930 hours. Ammer was cold but not in need of medical care. He was brought back to his vehicle and released.
Probation Violation: On June 13, at approximately 12:30 p.m., a Trooper and a USFS Officer from Girdwood conducted a traffic stop on an older model Buick sedan after the vehicle had been the subject of a REDDI report. Following an investigation Samuel Stroer, age 37 of Kenai, and Jennifer Stroer, age 34 of Kenai, were arrested for probation violations. Both are on probation for a felony conviction. The Stroer’s were transported to and remanded at the Anchorage Jail.