DUI trial set to begin today for husband of Wasilla mayor

PALMER — A trial begins today for the husband of Wasilla Mayor Dianne M. Keller, arrested Aug. 8 for DUI, reckless driving and resisting arrest following a single-car accident.

David Keller, 45, was arrested in the early morning hours after reportedly nearly hitting another vehicle and crashing into a ditch at the intersection of Knik-Goose Bay Road and Enter Place, the Wasilla Police Department reports. He was driving southbound on Knik-Goose Bay Road and nearly hit another car head-on. He then overcorrected and drove 320 feet in a ditch. His vehicle became airborne at Enter Place, and then came to rest.

Keller was not injured and has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His trial is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. today in front of Judge Gregory Heath in Palmer District Court.

At the time of the accident and arrest, Mayor Dianne M. Keller declined to comment in detail about her husband’s arrest, but emphasized he did not receive any special treatment from police because of his relationship to the city’s mayor.

“I would like to report that the Wasilla Police Department employees handled this like any other case, giving him no special considerations because of my position,” she said in a prepared statement. The mayor says she was out of town at the time of the incident and “was happy to learn that no one was injured.”

Calling the situation a “personal matter,” Dianne Keller thanked the community for “allowing us to work though this as a family.”

Wells sentenced

Another DUI case with ties to a local political figure has been resolved.

Mat-Su Borough Assembly member Robert F. Wells pleaded no contest to a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and was found guilty Aug. 30. The elected official was sentenced to 60 days in jail with 55 days suspended and his driver license was revoked for 90 days. He was also ordered to pay $3,622 in fines and fees with $1,600 suspended and given three years’ probation.

Wells represents District 6 on the Borough Assembly, which includes Hatcher Pass, Wasilla Fishhook, Schrock and Memory Lake areas. His term expires October 2009.

His charges stem from a March 10 incident when he was involved in a motor vehicle collision with his 2002 Subaru Forester. Upon arrival, Alaska State Troopers responding to the accident noted a strong odor of alcohol and that Wells’ eyes appeared bloodshot and watery, according to an affidavit in support of the complaint. Wells failed a roadside sobriety test and refused to take a chemical breath test.

Wells admitted driving the Subaru, consuming alcohol and to being impaired, the affidavit says. He also told officers that on an intoxication scale of 1 to 10 he was a 2.

Another charge of refusing to take a breath test was dismissed.

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2268.