Troopers arrest two after 4-wheeler pursuit near Wasilla's Sage Road

Troopers arrested two people after a four-wheeler fled from them in the Sage Road area near Wasilla on Wednesday night. Both are jailed at the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility in Palmer.

Troopers responded about 9:30 p.m. to a tip that Cassandra Pitka, 32, of Wasilla, was wanted on an outstanding warrant. They found her riding as a passenger on the four-wheeler. When they tried to stop it, the driver, later identified as Mica Messinger, 45, of Anchorage, fled at high speed, according to the dispatch. The four-wheeler later stopped. Pitka was taken into custody. Messinger ran on foot and was caught a short time later.

Pitka is held on $2,500 bail. Messinger is held without bail. Charges are accusations, and both are presumed innocent.

Off-road vehicle traffic came up at the Mat-Su Borough Assembly's Sept. 1 meeting. Bill Gamble told the assembly, "it's not just the motorcycles, it's the four-wheelers too. And they've moved off the bike trails now and they're on the main roads." The borough's Local Road Service Area Advisory Board has pushed for stronger enforcement and vehicle impoundment. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has encouraged Alaskans to enjoy ATV recreation safely, with proper equipment and information.