An ax-wielding man attacked a snow plow truck in Big Lake earlier this month, apparently because he was angered by a snow berm blocking in his car, according to charging documents.
The truck's driver, James Ross, told Alaska State Troopers a man with a "maul-style ax" ran in front of his truck on Saquonee Street in Big Lake the afternoon of Nov. 6, forcing Ross to slam on his brakes to avoid hitting the man, according to a trooper affidavit filed in court. The man, later identified as 44-year-old Vernon Logan, swore at Ross while asking what Ross was doing, the court papers say.
Then Logan hit the driver's side door of the truck with the ax, causing about $200 in damage, according to the affidavit. Ross drove away, fearing that Logan would attack him next, the court papers say. The plow driver then gave troopers Logan's description and told them where the attack occurred.
About an hour later, Trooper Wallace Kirksey talked to Logan's father in front of a house on Tanaina Road, a short connector street off of Saquonee. Logan's father said his son had words earlier in the day with the driver of a snow plow truck, according to the affidavit. Inside, the trooper found Logan, who said his car had been plowed in but denied any confrontation took place.
Kirksey arrested Logan, who started yelling and cussing at his father, the affidavit says. As the trooper drove Logan to jail in Palmer, Logan said something about some "involvement" with a plow truck, but he wasn't specific, the court papers say.
Logan was charged with third-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal mischief and held on $5,000 bail.
Reach Casey Grove at casey.grove@adn.com or 257-4589.
By CASEY GROVE
Anchorage Daily News