At 7:24 PM on August 6, 2023, a citizen called in a REDDI* locate for an adult male driver in a bright green Dodge sedan who was speeding, driving recklessly, and almost ran the complainant off the road.  A locate for the suspect vehicle was aired over the radio.  The incident occurred near Huffman Road and Seward Highway; the complainant stated the suspect was last seen driving southbound.

At the same time the locate came in, officers were working a traffic detail (funded by the Alaska Highway Safety Office) near the Seward Highway and Potter Valley Road.  At 7:27 PM one of those officers conducted a traffic stop on a 2015 green Dodge Challenger that was being driven at a speed of 101 mph** (confirmed by LiDAR).   Upon contact with the driver, the officer immediately noticed several signs of impairment to include the odor of alcohol.

The driver, 35-year-old Jack L. Ward III, would not answer the officer’s questions nor would he participate in Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs).  Based on the officer’s observations, and Ward’s behavior, the decision was made to charge Ward with Operating under the Influence.  Once they arrived at the Anchorage Jail for further processing, Ward refused to provide a breath sample.  Ward’s blood was drawn subsequent to a search warrant being obtained.

Jack Ward III was remanded at the Anchorage Jail on the charges of OUI and Refusal.  He was also cited for Speeding.

APD Case 23-25353

*REDDI – Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately by calling 9-1-1.  APD is grateful to the citizen who witnessed Ward’s dangerous driving behavior and notified authorities.

**This traffic stop occurred in a designated safety corridor which means all traffic fines in that area are automatically doubled (per Anchorage Municipal Code 9.48.130).  When a driver has been caught driving at least 30 mph over the posted speed limit, the fine is $30 for every mile over (per AMC 9.26.020).  That’s $60 per mile in a safety corridor (double fines are also applicable in school zones) with a six-point penalty against the offending driver’s operating license.