Snowmachiner injured in collision with pickup

WASILLA — Troopers are seeking information in a Saturday hit-and-run accident that seriously injured a snowmachiner.

The snowmachiner, Benjamin Zwink, 22, of Wasilla, was crossing Knik-Goose Bay Road when he was hit sometime around 9:30 p.m. Troopers say he was wearing a helmet, but was still seriously injured. An ambulance took him to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.

Witnesses say the pickup that hit his 1997 Ski-Do was a red, newer-model Chevrolet S-10.

Troopers ask anyone with information to call them at 745-2131 or Mat-Su Crime Stoppers at 745-3333.

But troopers stress they’re not necessarily looking at the driver to charge him with a crime more serious than leaving the scene of an accident.

“Just the hit itself doesn’t necessarily mean that the driver did anything wrong,” Trooper Spokeswoman Megan Peters said.

Though she couldn’t speak to this specific case, she said the vast majority of these types of accidents — vehicle versus snowmachine, on the road — are the fault of the snowmachiner.

But, they can’t rule out the pickup driver as being at-fault until the investigation is complete. And that investigation will, troopers hope, include talking to the driver.

Rewards offered in theft cases

WASILLA — Mat-Su Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 reward for information in two recent thefts.

The first theft is a Palmer Police Department case. It was reported Nov. 20 when the state’s Division of Forestry noticed three four-wheelers were missing from behind its facility near the Palmer Airport. The missing four-wheelers are:

• A red 2006 Honda Foreman 500.

• A red 1993 Honda Fourtrax 300.

• A red 1991 Honda Fourtrax 300.

The theft occurred during a recent snowfall and evidence on scene showed several trips were made to steal the four-wheelers.

The second theft was reported two days prior when, at 9:23 a.m., Alaska State Troopers were notified that a home had been burglarized on Sylvan Road in Wasilla. Approximately $2,000 in tools and personal items were stolen.

Troopers say that among other things, a Bosch model 11304K jack hammer with serial number 689001990 was stolen. The hammer had been rented from United Rental. Other stolen items include a Dewalt radial arm saw worth $600 and a $400 Senco finish nailer with blue spray paint on it and “No Oil” written on it in black marker.

Anyone with information is asked to call Mat-Su Crime Stoppers at 745-3333.

— Compiled by Andrew Wellner