An Eagle River man is facing charges after he appeared to hail an Alaska State trooper for help, fled in a truck while intoxicated and later threatened to shoot the trooper when the officer caught up with the man, authorities say.
Talkeetna-based trooper Michael Shelley was driving south on the Parks Highway near mile 87 Saturday afternoon when he spotted a man in a pickup truck who looked like he was waving to the trooper for help. When Shelley tried to make contact with the man, later identified as Lawrence Young, 47, the man drove away, according to AST dispatch. An investigation revealed Young was intoxicated when he drove the truck, court documents say.
Shelley was able to find the truck in the driveway of a nearby home and again tried to contact Young. This time, Young threatened the trooper by saying he would shoot the officer if he didn’t leave.
It was later discovered that Young was on someone else’s property when he made the threats. When Shelley initially arrived at the home, he appeared to be having an argument with a woman.
Young wouldn’t listen to officer orders and was tackled to the ground after additional troopers and police officers showed up to the scene. He also refused to submit a chemical test after Shelley said he smelled alcohol on Young’s breath, court documents say.
Young was charged with fourth-degree assault, disorderly conduct, driving under the influence and refusal to submit a chemical test.