Troopers save suspect from burning car

HOUSTON — A driver reported via multiple Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately calls led Alaska State Troopers on a high-speed chase for several miles Saturday before his vehicle flipped and caught fire.

After several callers made REDDI reports about a southbound driver near Mile 62, Parks Highway, troopers tried to stop the driver of that 2004 Subaru around 10:30 p.m.

But when troopers tried to pull over Peter B. Dirks, 31, of Soldotna, he increased his speed to 80 mph, passed a semi truck on the shoulder and swerved into the opposite lane of traffic, according to a trooper press statement.

At Mile 51, Parks Highway, the Subaru left the north side of the road, rolled several times and came to rest on the driver's side before catching fire.

Troopers pulled Dirks out of the burning vehicle, emergency response crews checked him and found he was not injured in the accident. Alcohol was a factor in the crash, troopers report.

Dirks was arrested and transported to the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility charged with drunk driving and failure to stop at the direction of a peace officer. Bail was set at $7,500. The vehicle was totaled from the collision and subsequent fire. Dirks was unable to report as to whether or not he was wearing a seat belt.