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.
Driving with a Suspended License: On June 16, at 11:49 p.m., a Trooper stopped a 2008 Chevy pickup near the Girdwood Tesoro after it had been called in as a REDDI vehicle at mile 81 Seward Highway. An investigation revealed the driver, Kenneth Avery Odell, age 22 of Ft Richardson, was driving on a suspended license. Odell was issued a summons to appear in court for DWLS and released on scene.
Motor Vehicle Collision: On June 16 at approximately 4:37 p.m., Troopers responded to mile 70.5 of the Seward Highway for the report of a truck and trailer crash blocking the southbound lane. An investigation revealed Nayer Mahmoud, age 51 of Anchorage, was driving South on the Seward Highway in a black 2006 Nissan pickup pulling a 2008 26 foot travel trailer. In the vehicle with Nayer were Parihan Mahmoud, age 51 of Anchorage, and two children. The travel trailer began to fishtail behind the tow vehicle. Nayer attempted to correct the fishtail and was unsuccessful. The truck and trailer struck a guardrail causing the trailer to overturn. All occupants reported wearing their safety belts and received no injuries. Both vehicles were a total loss. Alcohol was not a factor. Alyeska Towing responded for both vehicles. A special thanks is extended to the American Legion Riders Post 5 in Seward for providing traffic control.
Motor Vehicle Collision with Injuries: On June 16 at 10:49 a.m., Troopers from Cooper Landing and Seward responded to a single vehicle rollover near mile 57.5 of the Sterling Highway. An investigation showed that Bill Hays, 77 of Sterling, was traveling southbound on the Sterling Highway when he tried to avoid an object in the road and went into the ditch. He was unable to control the vehicle and it rolled three times and came to rest on it’s top. Hays sustained injuries to his head and was transported to the Soldotna Hospital by ambulance. Hays was wearing his seatbelt and alcohol was not a factor in the incident.
Motor Vehicle Crash: On June 18 at 2:46 p.m., a Trooper responded to a motor vehicle crash involving two vehicles near mile 106.5 of the Seward Highway. The crash investigation revealed that Elizabeth J. Walker-Thomas, age 44 of Anchorage, was operating a late model SUV traveling northbound towards Anchorage. Walker-Thomas stopped for a flagman for a road survey crew. Nancy M. Boardman, age 54 of Anchorage, was behind Walker-Thomas traveling in the same direction. Boardman attempted to stop but crashed into the rear of Walker-Thomas’ vehicle. Both vehicles sustained more than $500 damage. Both drivers were using seat belt and were uninjured.
Walker-Thomas’ vehicle was drivable. Boardman’s vehicle had to be towed from the scene. Boardman was cited for Failure to Exercise Due Care to Avoid a Collision.
Motor Vehicle Crash: On June 18 at 4:23 p.m., a Trooper from responded to a motor vehicle crash involving two vehicles near mile 105 of the Seward Highway. The crash investigation revealed that Brittany J. Boulette, age 19 of Soldotna, was operating a mid nineties mini-van traveling southbound towards Soldotna. Boulette slowed down to make a left turn into a pullout. Brian J. Pomerville, age 23 of Girdwood, was behind Boulette traveling the same direction. Pomerville was operating a 2000 model four door passenger car. Pomerville attempted to stop but was unable to avoid the collision and crashed into the rear of Boulette’s vehicle. Boulette’s vehicle sustained less than $500 damage and was drivable. Pomerville’s vehicle sustained more than $500 and was towed from the scene. Pomerville was cited for Failure to Exercise Due Care to Avoid a Collision.
Burglary: On June 20 at approximately 4:00 a.m. Troopers responded to the Cooper Landing School at the report of a burglary in progress. An investigation revealed that two adult males entered the school by forcing their way through a window they broke. The males were confronted by several individuals who were residing in the school lawfully. The males fled the area and no items from the school were taken. Damage to the window is estimated at $1,000. Anyone with information about this burglary is encouraged to contact the Alaska State Troopers in Seward or Soldotna.
DUI, Reckless Driving: On June 20 at approximately 5:50 p.m., a Trooper from Girdwood responded to a motor vehicle collision near Mile 99 of the Seward Highway. An Investigation determined that a 2002 GMC van, driven by Jesse H. Williams, age 23 of Anchorage, was traveling northbound when he was rear ended by a 2001 Honda motorcycle, driven by Patrick D. Walsh, age 27 of Anchorage. Williams and his passenger reported wearing their seatbelts and having no injuries. Walsh had non-life threatening injuries and refused to be examined by the paramedics. Walsh was arrested for DUI and Reckless driving and remanded to the Anchorage jail. Bail was set at $1,000 cash and released when sober.
Motor Vehicle Crash: On June 20 at 2:42 p.m., a Trooper from Girdwood and Moose Pass EMS responded to mile 61 of the Seward Highway for the report of a motor vehicle crash. An investigation revealed that Gerard Antoine of Anchorage had been driving south on the Seward Highway in his Ford Explorer when he began to choke while drinking a soda. Antoine then left the roadway, drove through the ditch, over a concrete bridge abutment, over a road sign, onto the bicycle path and then into a stand of trees where the vehicle came to rest. Antoine, along with his two passengers, was transported to Central Peninsula Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The Ford Explorer was a total loss.
Warrant Arrest: On June 22 at 9:45 p.m., a Trooper stopped a 2007 GMC Sierra pickup near mile 4.5 Portage Valley Road for speeding. Investigation revealed a passenger, Gavril A. Konev, age 21 of Homer, had an outstanding arrest warrant for $400 (for failure to satisfy conditions of probation, MCA). Konev was arrested for the warrant and
remanded into custody at the Anchorage Jail. The driver was issued a citation for speeding.
Failure to Release a Snagged Fish: On June 23 at 4:50 p.m. Troopers contacted David Struif, 45 of Seward, after Struif was seen killing and keeping a red salmon that had been hooked near the tail on the Russian River. Struif was cited and released at the scene.
Assault IV (DV), Criminal Mischief IV (DV), Resisting Arrest, Assault IV on a Police Officer: On June 26 at 11:40 p.m., a Trooper responded to a residence in Girdwood for a 911 hang-up. An investigation revealed Benjamin Gregory Scott, age 31 of Girdwood, assaulted a 28 year old female and damaged items inside the residence valued at less than $500. Scott was arrested on scene for Assault IV (domestic violence), Criminal Mischief IV (domestic violence), Resisting Arrest, and Assault IV on a Police Officer. Scott was treated for injuries by Girdwood EMS and later transported to Anchorage Jail held on $5,000.00 cash bail. The Trooper was treated for injuries sustained during the arrest at Providence Alaska Medical Center and later released.
Driving without a License: On June 22 at about 2 a.m., a Trooper stopped a 2001
Audi A4 for speeding at mile 98.5 Seward Highway near Girdwood. Investigation revealed Nikolay V. Pukharev, age 21 of Anchorage, was driving while his license was suspended. Pukharev was issued a summons for DWLS and issued citations for speeding, failure to properly display a license plate, and no proof of insurance.
No Valid Operator’s License: On June 23, at 11 p.m., a Trooper stopped a 1994
Ford pickup near mile 2.5 Alyeska Highway in Girdwood. An investigation revealed Trent Eric Skogstad, age 38 of Girdwood, was driving without a valid drivers license. Skogstad was issued a summons for No Valid Operator’s License. He was also issued citations for no proof of insurance, headlight requirements, and operating a vehicle with studded tires. The vehicle was released to a valid driver.
Driving with a Revoked License, Warrant Arrest: On June 23 at around midnight, a Trooper stopped a 1992 Dodge Shadow for speeding at mile 110 Seward Highway near Girdwood. An investigation revealed James David Brewer, age 44 of Nikiski, was
driving while his license status was revoked (for DUI, and unsatisfied judgment). Further investigation revealed Brewer had an outstanding No Bail arrest warrant for failure to appear (for charges of DUI and DWLR). Brewer was arrested on the warrant and issued a summons for DWLR. He was also issued a citation for speeding and then transported to
Anchorage Jail where he was remanded into custody.
Motor Vehicle Crash: On June 27 at approximately 2:00 a.m., Troopers responded
to a motor vehicle collision near Mile 106 of the Seward Highway. An investigation determined that a 2002 Ford van driven by Bruce A. Newby, age 45 of Anchorage, was traveling northbound when he was rear ended by a 1997 Hyundai sedan, driven by Charles E. Bracker, age 25 of Palmer. Both drivers and all passengers reported wearing their seatbelts. A passenger in the Ford van was evaluated by paramedics but refused to be transported. Bracker was issued a citation for failure to exercise due care to avoid a collision.
Search and Rescue, Drowning: On June 28 at 5:20 p.m., Troopers from Cooper Landing, Girdwood and Seward along with CES from Soldotna, US Fish & Wildlife, and a Helo from US Forestry and AST responded to the Kenai River at Jims Landing following a report of a man overboard. An investigation revealed David Yanoshek, 56, of Anchorage, was thrown from his boat after it hit a rock in the water. Another passenger in the boat who was wearing a life vest was able to make it to shore, but Yanoshek was not located. A search of the area by air and water for approximately four and a half hours was met with negative results. Troopers suspended the search for the night and will continue their efforts tomorrow. A preliminary investigation revealed Yanoshek was not wearing a life vest at the time of the incident. Next of Kin has been notified.
Motor Vehicle Collision, Fatality: At 4:26 p.m. on June 28 Soldotna Trooper Dispatch received a 911 call reporting that a silver Ford Explorer had collided with a black Harley Davidson motorcycle at the intersection of the Seward and Sterling highway. Investigation suggests that the Explorer had failed to notice the motorcycle and pulled out in front of it, causing the collision. The driver of the Explorer was identified as Arnold Hufana, age 32 of Anchorage. An unidentified doctor was on scene and began CPR on the driver of the motorcycle, Leonard Guinn, age 68 of Moose Pass, until the EMS agencies of Moose Pass and Cooper Landing arrived. Lifeguard was launched but cancelled when EMS agencies pronounced him dead on scene. The next of kin has been notified. The body was released to the SME. Investigation is continuing.