Car leaves road, crashes after troopers deploy spike strips

ANCHORAGE — A car sought by Alaska State Troopers left the Sterling Highway and rolled Sunday after its tires were punctured by spike strips.

Two Anchorage men inside were treated at a hospital and arrested.

The driver, 19-year-old Jesse Skjegstad (skjeg-STAD), has been charged with two felonies, assault and failure to stop at the direction of a police officer. He’s also charged with misdemeanor reckless driving.

The passenger, 22-year-old Justin Thomassen, was jailed on two outstanding arrest warrants. Troopers say he gave arresting officers a false name.

Skjegstad’s car was spotted speeding near Mile 70 and it reached 130 mph.

Other troopers deployed spike strips near Mile 87.

The car hit the strips, went into the ditch and rolled.

The men remain jailed Monday at Wildwood Pretrial Facility in Kenai.

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