A Cooper Landing man has been arrested after a high-speed chase temporarily shut down the Sterling Highway on Friday, according to a dispatch from the Alaska State Troopers.
According to the dispatch, Josh Lingle, 48, of Cooper Landing drove his truck past the barricades at the eastern entrance of Skilak Lake Road and again at the western entrance. The road is currently closed and the barricades are in place due to the Swan Lake Fire. The barricades are being manned by the Alaska National Guard.
According to the dispatch, an officer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Protection Office attempted to stop the vehicle when the truck attempted to ram his patrol car. The officer was able to avoid being stuck and pursued the vehicle onto the Sterling Highway. The vehicle continued approximately 15 miles towards Soldotna where troopers successfully used spike strips to stop the vehicle.
The vehicle then allegedly stopped in a parking lot and rammed three patrol vehicles in an attempt to flee. The vehicle was eventually disabled by state troopers using a Bearcat Tactical Vehicle.
After a short negotiation, Lingle was taken into custody and remanded at the Wildwood Pretrial Facility.
Lingle faces three counts of third-degree assault, three counts of third-degree criminal mischief, one count of failure to stop at the direction of a police officer and one count of reckless driving. The vehicle was impounded on scene.
Anyone on the roadway who had to take evasive action due to the incident should call the Soldotna Post of the Alaska State Troopers at 907-262-4453.
