Alaska State Troopers had located a vehicle that had been reported stolen from the Kenai Walmart at 11:32 p.m. On Friday, September 24. The vehicle had been reported stolen an hour prior, according to the online state trooper dispatch.
Troopers attempted to stop the vehicle in Sterling, however the driver, identified as 26-year-old Dustin Rediske of Kenai, failed to yield and a vehicle pursuit was initiated. A tire deflation device was successfully deployed before he entered Soldotna.
Rediske continued driving recklessly during the pursuit placing another motorist in fear of her life when he almost struck her head on while driving in the wrong lane. He drove off the road to avoid the collision striking a large ditch and crashing after a pursuit that lasted 16 miles. He was taken into custody without further incident.
An investigation revealed that he was driving impaired, operating with a revoked license, had a warrant out for his arrest, and was on probation for a prior felony DUI offense. The stolen vehicle was totaled as a result of the crash.
Rediske was transported to Central Peninsula Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released.
Rediske was arrested for first degree vehilcle theft, third degree assault, felony driving under the influence, third degree criminal mischief, driving while license revoked, first degree faile to yield at the direction of a peace officer, probation violations, and the warrant.
He was remanded at Wildwood Pretrial.