Palmer Man Flees Troopers during Welfare Check

Troopers in Wasilla conducted a welfare check on a man in a Mazda Navajo, who was slumped over behind the wheel on the corner of Church and Seldon Roads.

When troopers contacted the driver, identified as 35-year-old Palmer resident, William B. Jehlen, they found that he was merely asleep.

But, during the stop, Jehlen would flee the scene in his vehicle. Troopers gave chase, and after a short pursuit, Jehlen was stopped and arrested.

A look into Jehlen’s past would find that he was wanted on a warrant for violation of conditions of release in a Burglary, Theft and Assault case.

As a result of the Saturday incident, Jehlen was additionally charged with Reckless Driving and Failure to Stop at the Direction of a Peace Officer.

Jehlen was transported to the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility, where he was remanded with his bail set at $10,000 plus a Court Approved Third Party Custodian.