Wasilla man arrested for eluding, assault on a peace officer

WASILLA — A 22-year-old man faces a string of charges after he fled when Alaska State Troopers stopped him for speeding and running a red light Saturday morning.

According to a trooper dispatch, the incident began around 1:23 a.m., Nov. 17 after a trooper with the Bureau of Highway Patrol observed the 1992 Chevrolet 1500 on Seward Meridian Parkway at Spruce Drive.

While speaking with the driver, troopers say Welsh displayed signs of being under the influence of alcohol. The trooper was still at the driver’s window when a man, later identified as William R. Welsh II, 22, of Wasilla, put the car into drive and sped away, causing the trooper to jump back to avoid injury.

“Troopers began to pursue Welsh, who drove at a high rate of speed on the wrong side of the roadway at times and running multiple stop signs,” according to a trooper dispatch.

Welsh turned onto Ruth Drive and continued his attempt to elude troopers, but crashed when he was unable to negotiate a curve and crashed into a tree and a large boulder.

Troopers say Welsh was in the vehicle with serious injuries.

Central Mat-Su Fire and EMS responded to the scene and transported Welsh to Mat-Su Regional Hospital for treatment of serious, but not life-threatening injuries.

Investigation determined that Welsh’s driver’s license was revoked due to a prior driving under the influence conviction and he is required to have an ignition interlock device in any vehicle he is operating, troopers report. They say alcohol is a factor in this case, too.

The investigation is continuing and charges will be forwarded at a later date. Those charges, as listed in the dispatch header, could include eluding in the first degree, reckless driving, driving with a revoked license and assault in the third degree on a peace officer.