Intoxicated drivers endanger children

WASILLA — Two intoxicated driving cases on the same day involved some pretty questionable behavior around children last month.

According to an Alaska State Trooper press release, the first alleged drunken driver was pulled over at 2:19 a.m., April 15.

Troopers say there were two people in a Mazda pulled over for an equipment violation at Mile 2, Knik-Goose Bay Road. As a trooper was approaching the car, he saw them switch seats.

“The original driver of the vehicle was a 13-year-old minor whose father had forced him to drive him to the liquor store for more alcohol,” according to the press release.

The father, Aleksandr Averyanov, 41, of Wasilla, was arrested for DUI, child endangerment and allowing an unauthorized person to drive. He was jailed at the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility on $1,000 bail.

The second alleged impaired driver was pulled over at 8:28 p.m. on a complaint from the public of erratic driving.

“As the officers approached the vehicle, they observed the male passenger of the vehicle was actively using narcotics. Officers also observed an approximately 18-month-old infant in the backseat of the car in a child seat observing the actions,” according to a press release.

Troopers don’t identify the passenger, but the driver, Kendra Jackson, 27, of Wasilla, was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs, child endangerment, marijuana possession and drug misconduct. She was jailed at the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility on $10,000 bail.

Both Jackson and Averyanov were ordered to find someone to watch them before they could be released.