Fairbanks Man Sets Stolen Truck Ablaze During Richardson Highway Pursuit

image11-09-2014 07.04.40Alaska State Troopers reported that they opened an investigation into a burglary at the 12 mile Roadhouse in North Pole at 8:55 am on Sunday.

As the investigation continued, it was discovered that a 2001 Ford truck with a trailer, that was hauling a bulldozer, was stolen from State Forestry.

At 5:30 p.m., that pickup truck was seen pulling the trailer heading towards Delta Junction at Mile 275 of the Richardson Highway. Troopers immediately attempted to perform a traffic stop on the vehicle, but, as they did so, the driver attempted to ram the trooper with the truck.

The pursuit by Troopers continued, and as the vehicles raced down the highway, the driver, who was later identified as 34-year-old Sean Coursey of Fairbanks,”began throwing objects out of his truck and nearly colliding with oncoming traffic,” troopers reported.[xyz-ihs snippet=”adsense-body-ad”]As Coursey continued fleeing troopers, he turned off the vehicle lights and continued down the highway towards Tok. As Coursey approached the Gerstle Bridge, he coasted to a stop and began lighting items on fire “creating a barrier” between the pursuing troopers and himself.

A short time after, “Coursey continued and was intercepted by Tok AST.,” the trooper dispatch revealed. It was at that time that Coursey wrecked the truck that was by that time, on fire itself. Coursey, with his clothing on fire, exited the truck and was taken into custody. 

Coursey was charged with Vehicle Theft, Assault on a Police Officer III x2, Arson x2, Felony Elude x2, Criminal Mischief, DUI, Burglary, Reckless Driving, and a Probation Violation. He was transported to, and remanded at the Fairbanks Correctional Center.

See also  This Day in Alaska History-September 29th, 1904

Online records do not show a court date as yet.[xyz-ihs snippet=”Adsense-responsive”]