Late on Saturday evening, Girdwood troopers utilized spike strips to bring a fleeing REDDI vehicle to a halt on the Seward Highway.

It was at 8:12 PM, that’s the Soldotna dispatch received and aired a REDDI report for a black, 2002 Subaru Outback that was driving erratically as it progressed southbound on the Seward Highway. Girdwood-based Alaska State troopers and Bureau Highway Patrol units responded to the area but were unable to locate the vehicle.

It wasn’t until 8:53 PM, that a trooper with a Bureau Highway Patrol out of Girdwood, spotted the suspect vehicle traveling northbound at milepost 104. It was reported that the vehicle was still weaving and crossing both lanes of the highway.

The trooper attempted to stop the vehicle using his emergency lights and siren. But, the vehicle failed to stop and continued northbound. The trooper alerted other members of the Bureau of Highway Patrol of the situation and BHP troopers at mile 111 set up to deploy spike strips along the highway.

Those spike strips were deployed at 8:58 PM as the fleeing vehicle approached that section of highway. the Subaru crossed over the spike strips, its tires were deflated, and as a result came to a stop.

Troopers contacted the driver of the vehicle and identified him as 32-year-old resident of Indian Venek Piekarski. Piekarski was then taken into custody without incident.

Piekarski was charged with Felony Eluding and Reckless Driving. He was transported to the Anchorage Jail, where he was remanded on the charges.