FROM THE BLOTTER: Woman injured in wrong-way accident

WASILLA — Alaska State Troopers say a woman driving the wrong way on the Parks Highway was hospitalized after colliding with a gravel truck.

According to a trooper press statement, the Pontiac Grand Prix was first reported heading north in the southbound lanes near Hyer Road at 11:38 a.m. Saturday.

Two minutes later, another call came in reporting that a gravel truck had broadsided the Grand Prix.

Troopers say Natasha Skinner, 27, of Fairbanks, was driving the Pontiac. She was apparently trying to turn around when the gravel truck hit her. The truck driver was identified as David Cole, 51, of Big Lake. Troopers say he was not able to stop and hit the Pontiac on the passenger side.

Skinner was taken to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center and later transferred to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. Troopers describe her injuries as serious and life-threatening. Cole was not hurt in the collision.

The Pontiac was totaled. Troopers say they are investigating to see if alcohol or drugs played a role in the accident.

Man pulls knife on troopers

PALMER — Troopers say a Wasilla man stole a bottle of rum, crashed his car, then pulled a knife on them Friday.

According to a trooper press statement, Johnathan L. Meiwes, 38, of Wasilla, was arrested near Trunk Road and Palmer-Wasilla Highway. They allege he stole the rum from a liquor store then crashed his car into a ditch.

“Upon contact, Meiwes grabbed a knife and resisted arrest,” troopers say in a press release.

Meiwes was charged with assault, resisting arrest, reckless driving and theft.

He was jailed at the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility on $5,000 bail. Jail records showed he was still incarcerated Monday morning.

CVB official arrested for DUI

PALMER — The executive director of the Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau was arrested for drunken driving Friday.

Bonnie Quill, 51, of Palmer, was driving a 2009 Ford Escape when she stopped for a moving violation shortly before 11:40 p.m., according to a trooper press statement.

Troopers say Quill was taken to the Palmer trooper post where she declined a breathalyzer test.

She was jailed at the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility on $1,000 bail. Jail records Monday morning showed she had since bailed out.