Troopers arrest Chugiak 16-year-old after 122 mph pursuit in Wasilla

Alaska State Troopers arrested a 16-year-old Chugiak driver Saturday night after a pursuit that reached 122 mph on Knik Goose Bay Road in Wasilla. Troopers said no one was hurt, and they are still investigating a second car that was racing the teen's.

At about 7:46 pm, troopers running laser speed enforcement on Knik Goose Bay Road saw a black Chevrolet Equinox and a red sedan racing side by side at 92 mph in a 55 mph zone, according to the troopers' dispatch. When a trooper tried to stop them, both drivers turned off their headlights and sped away.

Troopers followed the Equinox for about 2 minutes and 15 seconds over 3.4 miles. It reached about 122 mph on Knik Goose Bay Road and was still going about 84 mph after it entered a residential neighborhood.

The chase ended at a residence on West Kertulla Court. Troopers said a trooper used controlled vehicle contact to keep the Equinox from fleeing again and creating more risk to the public. The driver and an adult passenger were taken into custody without further incident.

The teen was remanded to the Mat-Su Youth Facility on charges of failure to stop at the direction of a peace officer and reckless driving. He was also cited for speeding, expired registration, driving at night without required lights and racing. Troopers note that charges are accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Troopers have reported other high-speed pursuits in Wasilla this year. On Oct. 4, a chase that began near Knik Goose Bay Road and South Country Drive topped 100 mph before troopers arrested an Anchorage man. On Oct. 17, an 18-year-old Anchorage driver was stopped with spike strips after a 100 mph chase on the Parks Highway. A March pursuit that began near Knik-Goose Bay Road reached 125 mph and ended in a crash near the Goose Bay airstrip.

Teens account for about 20% of fatalities and major injuries on Alaska roads each year, according to the state Highway Safety Office.