Officers detained the driver of a truck who allegedly almost struck several pedestrians and vehicles head on Saturday night during a vehicle pursuit.
The 22-year-old Juneau man behind the wheel of the Ford F-150 in question is not behind bars, and his name has not been released, but he is in a secure area pending charges, Juneau Police Department Sgt. Jeremy Weske told the Empire on Sunday. The vehicle in question was also allegedly stolen from a home on Shaun Drive in the Lemon Creek area. Police also suspect the driver was under the influence of alcohol, but JPD has not prepared a full report since charges are still pending.
Officers were alerted to the reckless driver after a 911 call at 8:50 p.m. about someone swerving on the wrong side of the road outside of the Juneau Empire’s building in the 3100 block of Channel Drive, nearly striking people on the sidewalk, according to a press release by JPD Sgt. Krag Campbell.
When officers arrived, the truck was near Bartlett Regional Hospital across from the Empire still swerving dangerously on the road. Police attempted to pull the driver over, but he continued to travel down Egan drive toward the downtown area without stopping, so a pursuit began.
The truck travelled across the Juneau Douglas bridge and out to North Douglas, all the while continuing the erratic driving, Campbell said. Past the area of False Outer Point, the driver veered off the road and crashed into a ditch at about 9 p.m., at which point he was finally detained. Capital City Fire/Rescue evaluated the driver for minor injuries and he was taken to Bartlett Regional Hospital for continued medical care.
The department is recommending the man in question be charged with felony vehicle theft in the first degree, felony failure to stop at the direction of a peace officer and a misdemeanor charge for driving under the influence.
