Driver Allegedly Rams Alaska Troopers With Vehicle

April 11, 2014
A man was arrested after he struck two troopers with his vehicle and led authorities on two pursuits.

A 26-year-old Wasilla man was arrested after he struck two troopers with his vehicle and led authorities on two pursuits late Wednesday, Alaska State Troopers said.

Michael Ingersol faces felony assault, eluding and other charges in connection with the episode, which began about 10:20 p.m. A woman called troopers to say she did not want her son, identified as Ingersol, at her home and asked troopers to remove him, according to a trooper dispatch posted Thursday morning.

Authorities learned that Ingersol was on felony probation and had two outstanding warrants for probation violations, the dispatch said.

When troopers arrived at the woman's home, Ingersol started to back out of the driveway in a blue Ford Taurus, according to Megan Peters, troopers spokeswoman.

"Troopers yelled at Ingersol to stop, but after initially slowing his vehicle he sped up and drove at both troopers," troopers wrote in the dispatch. "Ingersol struck both troopers with his vehicle and fled the scene."

The troopers then tried to pursue Ingersol but lost him after he made several turns down subdivision side streets, the dispatch said. The troopers then drove themselves to the hospital, were treated for minor injuries and released, Peters said.

About 11:42 p.m., Peters said, a Wasilla police officer located Ingersol and his car at a gas station and attempted a traffic stop.

Ingersol drove off, and troopers and Wasilla police pursued him, Peters said. The chase lasted more than 15 miles across the Wasilla area, during which Ingersol again tried to strike authorities with his car, Peters said.

"Troopers and WPD were able to avoid collisions," Peters wrote in an email.

Authorities used spikes to damage Ingersol's tires, and a few miles later the car came to a stop. When Ingersol got out of the car, he was warned a K-9 unit was present and a police dog would be used if he didn't cooperate, Peters said.

At that point, Ingersol gave himself up. He was taken to Mat-Su Pretrial facility, Peters said.

Copyright 2014 - Anchorage Daily News

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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