Crime & Courts

1 suspect in custody, 1 escaped after 100-mph Wasilla chase

Troopers were seeking the driver in a high-speed Wasilla chase and collision with a troopers vehicle early Thursday who escaped from a hospital after he and a passenger were arrested.

John Linebaugh of Palmer, 33, led the chase in a  Oldsmobile owned by passenger and Wasilla resident Stephen Walsh, 36, Alaska State Troopers said in a dispatch. Troopers tried to stop the car shortly after 3 a.m. for "multiple moving violations" on the Parks Highway near Vienna Woods Access Road.

"The vehicle immediately failed to yield, reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph, running multiple stop signs and steady red traffic signals, and drove southbound in the northbound lanes of the Parks Highway," troopers wrote. "The vehicle crashed into a marked AST unit, damaging the unit before crashing into the roundabout at Lucille Street and Seldon Road, where (Linebaugh) fled on foot."

Linebaugh was initially apprehended by a Wasilla Police Department K-9 unit, on charges of felony eluding, reckless driving and resisting arrest as well as counts of third-degree assault and criminal mischief. He had suffered an injury prior to the chase and was taken to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, where troopers said he later "fled from hospital staff."

Walsh, a felon troopers said was in possession of a firearm, allegedly provided false information at the scene. He was arrested on charges of providing false information and weapons misconduct then taken to the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility, where he was held on $1,000 bail.

Troopers spokesperson Tim Despain said in an email no injuries were reported during the pursuit. The trooper vehicle struck at Lucille and Seldon sustained only minor damage to its push bumper. He said Linebaugh was not under an escort at the hospital due to his earlier injury.

"Linebaugh was released per the magistrate in order for him to get medical treatment," Despain wrote.

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Anyone with information on Linebaugh's whereabouts is asked to call the Palmer trooper post at 907-352-5401 or Mat-Su Crime Stoppers at 907-745-3333.

Correction: An initial version of this story inaccurately reported that Walsh, not Linebaugh, was at large.

Chris Klint

Chris Klint is a former ADN reporter who covered breaking news.

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