Snowmachine chase through Palmer ends in arrest

PALMER -- A Palmer man out on probation for eluding a police officer in Anchorage tried to escape police again early this month on a snowmachine, according to an affidavit filed early this month in Palmer District Court.

On Nov. 5, Palmer Police arrested William R. Ogan, 21, for eluding, driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident.

Officer Donna Anthony tried to stop Ogan when she reportedly saw him driving a snowmachine down Arctic Avenue, approaching the Glenn Highway.

Anthony activated her lights but the snowmachine kept going, attempting to turn around in the Palmer High School driveway. Anthony pulled in front of the snowmachine, got out of her patrol car and yelled at Ogan to stop.

Ogan allegedly looked at Anthony, put the snowmachine in reverse, and tried to drive away, according to the affidavit.

Anthony jumped back in her patrol car and pulled forward. As she did, Ogan allegedly ran into the front grille of the car, bounced off and headed back down Arctic Avenue.

Because the roads were snow-packed, Anthony lost Ogan and called Alaska State Trooper Jason Carpenter for assistance. Carpenter found Ogan behind Sherrod Elementary and arrested him after chasing him down a side trail on foot.

Once in custody, Ogan was charged with eluding, DUI and leaving the scene of an accident. He was taken to Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility, where bail was set at $7,500 cash and a court-approved third-party custodian.

At a pre-indictment hearing Friday, Nov. 12, Ogan's first-degree eluding charge -- a class-C felony -- was reduced to second-degree eluding, a class-A misdemeanor. His bail was also reduced to $2,500.

Ogan had been on probation for a felony eluding conviction last year in Anchorage. A petition to revoke Ogan's probation has been filed in Anchorage court.

Contact John Davidson at john.davidson@frontiersman.com.