Fracas prompts attempted murder charge

BUTTE -- A man who allegedly hit a motorcycle and a four-wheeler with his pickup truck trying to scare two people was arrested for attempted second-degree murder and third-degree assault.

The incident occurred at 1 a.m. Sunday near the Knik River and Old Glenn Highway. Alaska State Troopers arrested Benjamin E. Wilson, 19, of Palmer, and lodged him in Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility on $100,000 bail.

Things began when Wilson's 1983 Dodge truck hit the rear tire of a Yamaha motorcycle being pushed by Terrance Weathers of Eagle River, according to a trooper report. Weathers, 25, was knocked to the ground, injuring both forearms, the report said.

Wilson's truck also struck and ran over the top of a green Honda Rancher four-wheeler being driven by Travis Pettit, according to charging documents. Pettit was thrown off the machine about 20 feet from the collision, troopers said, causing hand and abdominal injuries.

Pettit said " … he was scared of being killed as he was being chased by the vehicle driven by Wilson," the report said.

The three men began fighting and all were transported to Valley Hospital, where they were treated and released.

Trooper Dugger Cook, who investigated the fracas, said it apparently started when the motorcyclist and ATV driver passed Wilson and their wheels churned up some rocks. "He decided to return the favor," Cook said of Wilson.

Cook's report indicated that Wilson said he drove near the motorcycle " … seeing the rider pushing, to scare him and to throw rocks up at him. He also stated he then accelerated toward the four-wheeler in an attempt to scare the operator. He stated he just wanted to 'push' the four-wheeler out of the way."

Attempted second-degree murder is a class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Wilson was still being held at Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility as of Wednesday. He was scheduled for a pre-indictment hearing today at 1 p.m. at the Palmer courthouse.