Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Any charges reported in these press releases are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
A Detachment
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AK26014631
Location: NinilchikType: Failure to Stop at the Direction of a Peace Officer 2ndDispatch Text:
On 2/17/26 at about 1005 hours, Troopers attempted to stop a vehicle near mile 138 of the Sterling Highway for speeding. The vehicle failed to stop for approximately 5 miles but eventually stopped and the driver was contacted and identified as Kaja Funez-Sokola, 39 of Poland. Funez-Sokola was given a summons for failing to stop at the direction of a peace officer in the 2nd degree and a citation for speeding.Posted on 2/17/2026 1:51:48 PM by DPS\djcox
B Detachment
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AK26014062
Location: WasillaType: Fatal Vehicle CollisionDispatch Text:
On February 14, 2026, at 5:24 pm, the Alaska State Troopers were notified of a vehicle collision on Vine Road and Birch Cove Drive. Troopers and first responders responded to the scene. A preliminary investigation determined that a Volkswagen sedan lost control while driving southbound, and a Chevrolet pickup truck driving northbound collided with it. The driver and sole occupant of the sedan, 39-year-old Wasilla resident Christopher Wright, was taken to a Mat-Su area hospital, where he died. The driver of the pickup was uninjured, and the sole passenger of the pickup was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Wright's next of kin have been notified.
Posted on 2/17/2026 11:18:12 AM by DPS\ajmcdaniel
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AK26014811
Location: WasillaType: AssaultDispatch Text:
On February 17, 2026, at approximately 1642, Alaska State Troopers responded to a call of an assault at a residence in Wasilla. Investigation showed that Izabelle Newman (age 21 of Wasilla) had committed the crime of assault in the fourth degree. Izabelle was arrested and transported to Mat-Su Pretrial without incident.Posted on 2/17/2026 8:04:34 PM by DPS\cdmertens
C Detachment ...No news reported.
D Detachment
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AK26013870
Location: TokType: MVC - InjuryDispatch Text:
On February 13, 2026 at about 1:21 PM, Alaska State Troopers in Tok responded to the report of a serious two vehicle collision near the Alaska/Canada border. Investigation showed that a personal vehicle had crossed the center line and struck a commercial motor vehicle head-on causing serious injury to the private vehicle operator. This driver was transported to medical care by Tok Area EMS and medevacced to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.Posted on 2/17/2026 2:27:29 PM by DPS\sohessler
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AK26014048
Location: FairbanksType: CollisionDispatch Text:
On 2/14/2026 at approximately 1455 hours, Troopers reported to the area of Badger road and Middleton Avenue for a Motor vehicle collision between two trucks. One of the two vehicles involved had disabling damage and the other was able to leave under its own power. The individuals in the disabled vehicle were transported to the nearest medical facility. Follow up at the hospital showed all parties were healthy and only reporting minor injuries.
Posted on 2/17/2026 4:16:19 PM by DPS\bamitten
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AK26014103
Location: TokType: Death InvestigationDispatch Text:
On February 14, 2026 at approximately 8:34 pm, the Alaska State Troopers received a report of a deceased adult male at a residence in Tok. The Alaska State Troopers responded and located Donald Hartt, age 84 of Tok, deceased. No foul play is suspected and next of were present. After consulting with the State Medical Examiner’s Office, Hartt’s remains were released to the family.Posted on 2/17/2026 4:23:11 PM by DPS\sohessler
E Detachment ...No news reported.
Headquarters ...No news reported.
AK Wildlife Troopers
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AK26014684
Location: PalmerType: Wildlife ViolationDispatch Text:
On February 17, 2026, at approximately 1116 hours, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers received a report from Barrett Alexander that he had shot a moose that had attacked his dog and caused injuries to the dog. The investigation revealed that Barrett shot the moose on the evening of 2-12 and did not notify Troopers until 2-17 which was required to be done immediately. Barrett also did not salvage the moose, which resulted in the meat becoming rancid. Barrett received citations for the violations, and the moose was donated to a trapper to use.
Posted on 2/17/2026 4:26:27 PM by DPS\jrwright
AK Bureau of Investigation
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AK26014174
Location: TuluksakType: Homicide InvestigationDispatch Text:
On February 15, 2026, at 10:40 am, the Alaska State Troopers were notified that a man was located deceased on a trail near Tuluksak. Troopers responded to the scene and found 54-year-old Tuluksak resident Nelson Hawk deceased with a gunshot wound. Investigators from the Alaska Bureau of Investigation responded and assumed case responsibility. Hawk's body was sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy, and his next of kin have been notified. Troopers determined that 42-year-old Tuluksak resident Jonathan Owens shot Hawk after an argument at Owens' fish camp. He was arrested on February 16, 2026, by investigators and remanded to Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center on charges of Murder.
Posted on 2/17/2026 9:38:18 AM by DPS\ajmcdaniel
AK Bureau of Highway Patrol
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AK26012993
Location: WasillaType: Warrant Arrest x2, MICS, & MIWDispatch Text:
On 02/11/2026, the Highway Interdiction K9 Team contacted Rachelle Jester, age 42 of Wasilla, at the Valley Country Store on Church Road who had two outstanding arrest warrants. Further investigation revealed Jester had methamphetamine in her vehicle. Following a search warrant on the vehicle, suspected fentanyl and a firearm were located. Jester was arrested and remanded to MAT-SU Pretrial on her arrest warrants. Additional charges for Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance 4th Degree x2 and Misconduct Involving a Weapon 3rd Degree are being filed.
Posted on 2/17/2026 9:52:19 AM by DPS\glstephens
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