Updated: Friday, Sept. 19 – 3:45 p.m.
The driver of the stolen vehicle who died in Thursday’s crash has been identified by the State Medical Examiner’s Office as 54-year-old James Bain of Anchorage.
Wasilla resident Kerry Niles took to Facebook Thursday to alert friends and family that his home had been broken into, giving a description that seemed to match Bain.
I just got home to my house being robbed! The guy was driving a early to mid 90s short bed stepside, standard cab Chevy or GMC 1500. The guy had a beard and was in his 50s to 60s. He stole the truck last night the troopers said. The burglary was in the area of Fish Hook and seldon. If anyone sees this truck please call me or the troopers right away!!! He stole my son that died. My son was cremated and was in a earn. The their stole all I had left of my son.
In addition to stealing an assortment of household items, Bain also stole an urn containing the ashes of Niles’ deceased son.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Original story:
The driver of a stolen vehicle died in a crash Thursday afternoon after attempting to run from Alaska State Troopers, according to a statement released by AST.
The vehicle, which was previously reported stolen, was spotted at a Wasilla construction site at around 2:40 p.m., the statement went on to say.
Minutes after the stolen vehicle was initially spotted, troopers reported it traveling on Spruce Avenue in the direction of Church Road in Wasilla.
Attempts to contact the driver were unsuccessful and a brief pursuit ended when the driver crashed at the intersection of Church and Spruce, according to the statement.
The driver has not been identified.