Jesse Laraux arrested for OUI crash that backed up Glenn Highway traffic yesterday
At 3:22 PM on October 26, 2022, Anchorage Police Dispatch began receiving calls from citizens regarding a reckless driver headed outbound on the Glenn Highway. It was reported that an older model minivan was being driven at high speeds, cutting vehicles off, and passing on the shoulder. Three minutes after the first call was received, a citizen reported the suspect vehicle had rolled over near JBER. Prior to officer arrival, it was reported the driver of the rolled vehicle was intoxicated, “belligerent, and trying to leave.” Other drivers had stopped at the scene and were holding the suspect driver down.
Upon arrival the first officer saw a red van in the middle lane of the outbound Glenn Highway; the van had sustained heavy body damage. Next to the van was a group of citizens holding down an adult male, later identified as 50-year-old Jesse W. Laraux. The officer gave commands to Laraux; Laraux complied and was handcuffed. During that process the officer observed several signs of impairment. Laraux became physically aggressive as the officer escorted Jesse to a patrol vehicle. When Laraux’s efforts to pull away were unsuccessful, Laraux tried to kick the officer at which time the officer escorted Laraux to the ground. Once a second officer arrived, Laraux was given a full restraints warning. Laraux calmed down enough that allowed officers to help Laraux back to his feet and continue the walk to the police car.
Initially Laraux told the officers he would cooperate with participating in Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) but he ultimately chose not to. The decision was made to charge Laraux with Operating under the Influence. Laraux was transported to the Anchorage Jail for further processing; he refused to provide a breath sample. Laraux’s blood was drawn subsequent to a search warrant being obtained. Laraux was remanded on the charges of Reckless Driving, Refusal, OUI, and Assault. He was issued citations for Driving While License Revoked and Driving Without Proof of Insurance.
Initial indications are that Jesse Laraux was recklessly driving a 2008 red Kia Sedona van outbound on the Glenn when he struck a 2020 black Chevy being driven in the same direction. The impact of the collision caused the Kia to roll over. The Chevy spun out of control, into the median, and into oncoming traffic on the other side of the Glenn. The Chevy came to rest on the shoulder of the inbound lanes. Inside the Chevy was an adult female driver and a teenaged male passenger. There were no passengers inside the Kia. No one reported being injured.
REDDI – Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately by calling 9-1-1. Anchorage Police are grateful to all the citizens who reported the incident to police and to those who held Laraux at the scene until officers arrived.
APD Case 22-34712
For information on how to obtain the criminal history of any Alaskan, you may do so online via Court View on the State’s website.
