While on patrol on Church Road in Wasilla, the Alaska State Trooper BHP attempted to stop a black 2001 Dodge SUV for an equipment violation at 10:15 pm on New Years Day.

Instead of stopping however, the driver of the SUV accelerated away, running a stop sign. But, troopers would stop the vehicle near Wasilla Fishhook Road and Polar Bear Street and identify the driver as 48-year-old Don R. Thronsen of Wasilla.

An investigation at the scene would find that Thronsen was driving while his license was in suspended status for a prior DWLR conviction. It was also found that Thronsen had a warrant for his arrest due to a Parole Violation. Thronsen was arrested for Driving While License Suspended and the warrant as well as Failure to Stop at the Direction of a Peace Officer I, Reckless Driving, and Misuse of Vehicle Registration.

Thronsen was transported to the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility where he was remanded with no bail set.