The driver who walked out of Mat-Su Regional Medical Center last month after being stopped by troopers in a 100-mph Wasilla chase has been arrested after more than a week at large.
Troopers said in a dispatch that they caught up with 33-year-old John Linebaugh of Palmer just before 4:30 a.m. Sunday, during their response to a report of a suspicious male near Mile 5 of Knik-Goose Bay Road.
"Investigation revealed the male was (Linebaugh) who had multiple outstanding warrants for his arrest," troopers wrote.
Linebaugh had been sought since July 28, when he was at the wheel of an Oldsmobile troopers tried to stop on the Parks Highway. Instead, Linebaugh allegedly drove away at high speeds, striking a trooper vehicle and wrecking at a roundabout on Lucille Street and Seldon Road.
The vehicle's owner, 36-year-old Stephen Walsh of Wasilla, stayed with the Oldsmobile and was arrested, but Linebaugh fled and had to be tracked down in the area by a K-9 unit. He was released at a magistrate's order to receive treatment at Mat-Su Regional for an injury he suffered before the crash, then left the hospital while he was unescorted.
Troopers said Linebaugh was being held without bail at the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility on outstanding charges of failing to stop for a peace officer, resisting arrest and reckless driving, as well as misconduct involving both weapons and controlled substances.