WASILLA — A trooper and two private citizens apparently ran over the same black bear in quick succession last week.

According to a trooper press release, at 8 p.m. Oct. 29 troopers were called to Mile 50.5 Parks Highway where Trooper Gary Cox, 48, of Palmer, ran over the bear in his 2008 Ford Crown Victoria patrol car as it was running across the road.

Troopers say that the next vehicle to hit the bear was a 1999 Dodge Dakota being driven by Wayne Turner, 46, of Houston. Behind Turner, a 2000 Subaru Forester driven by Abigail S. Sheppard, 34, of Houston, also ran over the bear. 

Troopers say that none of the drivers were hurt and that the only vehicle that got dinged up was the patrol car, which sustained $600 in damage.

Reward for missing motorcycle

WASILLA — Mat-Su Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person who stole a distinctive motorcycle.

According to a press release, the bike went missing about 3 a.m. on Oct. 25 from a home on Admiralty Road. It’s a white 1999 Z Honda 50cc motorcycle with a red seat and one red and one blue handgrip. The motorcycle was taken off the front porch.

Tips can be phoned in to 745-3333, submitted online at matsu-crimestoppers.org or sent via text message to 274637 with the keyword MATSU followed by the tip.

Mailboxes blasted near Willow

WILLOW — Someone’s been blowing up mailboxes in Willow.

According to an Alaska State Trooper press statement, on Wednesday troopers investigated two destroyed mailboxes on the Parks Highway, one near the highway’s intersection with Hanrath Road, the other near its intersection with Lichen Drive.

The boxes were destroyed “using a small explosive device,” troopers report.

Off-roading driver busted for DUI

BUTTE — Troopers say a pickup stuck in the Knik River eventually led them to a drunken driving arrest.

According to a trooper press statement, at 12:14 p.m. on Tuesday, officers were called to Mile 9 Old Glenn Highway for the report of a pickup in the river.

Troopers say they found the pickup had gotten stuck at the edge of the river. They say they also found that Erin H. Tracy and a friend had been drinking and off-roading when the pickup got stuck.

Tracy was arrested and charged with drunken driving. He was jailed at the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility on $2.500 bail.