Alaska Department Of Public Safety,State Troopers Public Information Office

Dispatch Text:

At approximately 2345 hours on July 22, 2026, AST units were in the area of Stringfield Road and Bogard Road attempting to locate a man wanted on four outstanding warrants, including Failure to Stop at the Direction of a Peace Officer, Burglary in the Second Degree, Larceny, and Driving While License Revoked. Troopers observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed through a construction area and attempted to stop the vehicle as it entered the roadway from the construction area. The driver failed to stop and fled at speeds exceeding 100 mph, running a red light before losing control on a curve and crashing. The vehicle came to rest on its roof in a ditch, pinned against a tree.

Fire and rescue personnel extricated the driver, who was transported to Mat-Su Regional Hospital for evaluation before being released into trooper custody. No other occupants were in the vehicle, and no other injuries were reported.

The driver, identified as Austin Banks, was transported to Mat-Su Pretrial Facility and remanded on his outstanding warrants, along with new charges of Failure to Stop at the Direction of a Peace Officer in the First Degree, Misuse of License Plates, and Reckless Driving.