After receiving a call of a vehicle in the ditch at mile 201 of the Parks Highway at 2:02 pm on Tuesday, troopers responded to render assistance.

Troopers arrived to find the vehicle in the ditch with no driver. An investigation at the scene would find that the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Anchorage.

The investigation would find that the driver, later identified as 20-year-old Wasilla resident Samual Wade, caught a ride from the scene with a passing motorist.

Troopers conducted a traffic stop on the good samaritan vehicle, at which time Wade fled the vehicle on foot. The Cantwell area manhunt for Wade would take troopers on an hour-long trek through the woods in -20 dgree weather. Wade got approximately two miles through the woods before being apprehended by troopers with the assistance of AST K-9 ‘Argo.” When captured, Wade was suffering from hypothermia and frostbite. He was transported to the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injuries.

After his release, Wade was arrested and transported to the Fairbanks Correctional Center where he was remanded on charges of Vehicle Theft I, Resisting Arrest, Criminal Trespass I, and Disorderly Conduct as well as an outstanding warrant for Escape II.

Wade was held without bail.