Early Wednesday afternoon at approximately 12:55 pm, Alaska State troopers were conducting a traffic stop at about mile 52 of the Parks Highway in the northbound lane, a trooper was narrowly missed by a motorist.

It is reported by trooper dispatch that as the trooper was conducting a stop on a vehicle there, that a 2013 Jeep Patriot driven by 50-year-old Willow resident John Basler, slowed to yield to the patrol vehicle. Behind Basler was 23-year-old Willow resident Bryan Hamersley in a 1999 Jeep Cherokee. As Basler slowed, Hammersley rear-ended Basler’s vehicle. The impact caused Basler to narrowly miss the trooper.

Basler pulled over immediately to exchange information with Hamersley, but Hamersley fled the scene.

Within the hour, at 1:50 pm, Alaska State Troopers caught up to Hamersley at a residence on Nichols Drive in Houston.

The investigation into the incident found that Hamersley’s passenger, 20-year-old Houston resident Kerstynrenee Lanz had a $2,000 outstanding felony warrant for failure to appear on the original charge of Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance, Theft and Trespassing. Lanz was immediately placed under arrest on the warrant.

Hamersley was also arrested for Leaving the Scene of a Collision, Failing to Stop at the Direction of a Peace Officer, and Hindering Prosecution. He was also cited for Failing to Provide Proof of Insurance and Failure to Exercise Due Care to Avoid a Collision.

Both Hamersley and Lanz were transported to the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility in Palmer where they were remanded.

Although the two vehicles sustained damage, no injuries were reported.