Palmer teen arrested after 63-mile chase

ANCHORAGE (AP) — Alaska State Troopers say a 17-year-old Palmer boy has been arrested after leading officers on a 63-mile chase on the Parks Highway that ended near Willow.

Troopers say the pursuit began when troopers tried to stop the teenager for erratic driving, speeding and failure to dim headlights around milepost 36 near Palmer.

According to troopers, the teen sped off, driving recklessly. Troopers say that during the chase, officers learned the teen’s vehicle — a 1997 Toyota RAV4 — had been reported stolen to Palmer police a few minutes before the attempted traffic stop.

Troopers say the chase ended with the teen crashing near milepost 99.

The teen was arrested on charges of vehicle theft, reckless driving, felony eluding and not having a driver’s license. The teen’s name was not released.