Crime & Courts

Dangerous driver report prompts 20-minute chase in Wasilla

A 21-year-old man is facing multiple charges after he led Alaska State Troopers and Anchorage police on a 20-minute pursuit Saturday night through Wasilla and along the Glenn Highway.

According to a trooper dispatch, the incident began at 9:13 p.m. Saturday, when troopers in Wasilla received a report of a potentially dangerous driver in the area.

It was reported that someone driving a black 1995 GMC pickup was "possibly under the influence" and last seen parked at the end of East Tambert Drive.

When troopers arrived they spotted the truck, parked near a purple Chevrolet Blazer.

Troopers approached the Blazer, which was occupied by driver Michael Thompson, as well as an unnamed passenger. They were holding "what appeared to be prescription pill containers in their hands," troopers said.

Thompson would not identify himself and eventually drove off, troopers wrote.

The Blazer was quickly spotted again about a half-mile away. Troopers said Thompson failed to stop at the intersection of Seldon Road and Bogard Road, before continuing east onto Trunk Road.

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"AST attempted to deploy spike strips at three different positions on Trunk Road but were unsuccessful," troopers wrote.

Thompson led law enforcement onto the Glenn Highway, and at Mile 27, the Anchorage Police Department successfully spiked the driver-side tires of the SUV. Troopers said Thompson continued to drive on the flat tire, and when it eventually shredded he drove on the metal wheel, "which produced sparks."

Near Mile 21, Anchorage police spiked the passenger-side tires.

Thompson attempted to continue driving south, but all the tires on the Blazer shredded and the car spun into the median.

According to online court records, Thompson faces one count of failing to stop at the direction of an officer, reckless driving and driving without a valid license.

He was arraigned Sunday and his bail was set at $2,500.

The driver of the GMC truck, the subject of the original dangerous driver report, stayed at the scene and was determined not to be intoxicated by responding officers.

Megan Edge

Megan Edge is a former reporter for Alaska Dispatch and Alaska Dispatch News.

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