Wasilla motorist arrested for striking boy with car

A 23-year-old Wasilla man was charged with one count of driving while intoxicated and one count of third-degree assault after he allegedly struck a 14-year-old boy with his car last Friday.

Lance Barrett was arraigned Monday morning and then released to a court-approved, third-party custodian on $1,000 bail.

Barrett was driving east on Peninsula near Greatland Circle in Wasilla when his 1986 Ford truck allegedly struck the boy from behind. The boy was taken to Valley Hospital in Palmer, where he was treated for minor injuries, including a broken ankle and road burns on his back.

Alaska State Trooper Kid Chan responded to the accident at approximately 7:45 a.m. Friday.

Barrett reportedly admitted having four beers and five shots of tequila, according to court records, and failed the field sobriety tests.

A portable analyzer revealed his breath-alcohol concentration was .122 percent. He was then arrested for driving while intoxicated.

A sample Barrett subsequently gave at the Palmer trooper post at 9:30 a.m. revealed an alcohol concentration of .121 percent. He was then booked into Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility.

According to trooper reports, the 14-year-old boy was walking east on Peninsula at about 6:45 a.m., when Barrett struck him from behind. Barrett claimed he was driving approximately 15 mph when he allegedly hit the boy. He reportedly said he did not see the victim until he heard a loud sound and saw him in the brush next to the road.

The truck's front right side headlight lens and frame were broken and damage to the vehicle was estimated at $500.

Barrett was not injured in the accident and was wearing his seat belt.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct 2.