At 5:53 PM on February 9, 2023, an APD swing shift patrol officer responded to a hit and run collision. Initial indications are that the adult female driver of a blue 2009 Volkswagen was stopped for traffic on Benson Boulevard, just prior to Gambell Street, when she was rear-ended by a 2001 white Chevy Silverado pickup.  The driver of the Chevy fled without stopping; the victim driver was able to get the Chevy’s license plate.  She was not injured.

At 10:54 PM on February 11th, Airport Police notified Anchorage Police that they had initiated a traffic stop on a white Chevy pickup that was swerving, unable to maintain its lane of travel, and drove through an intersection on a red light.  The driver of the Chevy did not yield, and Airport Police disengaged.  Airport Police stated the Chevy driver’s behavior was indicative of someone who was impaired.

Just a few minutes later, at 10:57 PM, an APD IDEU officer (Impaired Driving Enforcement Unit) notified Dispatch the Chevy had just passed him near Minnesota Drive and Tudor Road.  The IDEU officer followed the Chevy at a distance until backup units could arrive.  During that time the IDEU officer witnessed the Chevy’s driver unable to maintain his speed and run through a red light.  Due to the time of day, traffic was very light which allowed the IDEU officer to continue to wait for additional officers before engaging.

Once backup units arrived the IDEU officer initiated a traffic stop at Spenard Road and Minnesota Drive by activating his patrol vehicle’s emergency lights and siren.  The Chevy’s driver did not stop.  Due to the icy conditions of the road and the Chevy’s driver accelerating at a high rate of speed, the decision was made to call off the pursuit.

At 9:10 PM on February 13th, an APD swing shift patrol officer initiated a traffic stop on a white Chevy Silverado pickup at Arlene Drive and W Dimond Boulevard after witnessing a red-light infraction.  The Chevy’s driver, later identified as 32-year-old Rogelio O. Hernandez, slowed down but did not pull over.  Officers followed Hernandez until he pulled onto Curlew Circle which dead-ends into a cul-de-sac.  Hernandez attempted to drive away by quickly accelerating but he was pinned in between the snowbank and police vehicles.  Once the Chevy was stopped, and prior to Hernandez following commands and putting his hands in the air, officers could see that Hernandez appeared to be trying to hide something between the driver’s seat and center console.  Hernandez was taken into custody without further incident.  During the handcuffing process, officers could smell a strong odor of alcohol emanating from Hernandez.  The adult female front seat passenger was also contacted.

Officers conducted Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) on Hernandez.  At the conclusion of those tests, the decision was made to charge Hernandez with Felony Driving under the Influence.  Hernandez was transported to the Anchorage Jail for further processing.  Once at the jail, officers obtained a breath alcohol sample along with a blood sample once a search warrant for the blood was obtained.

Pursuant to a search warrant, a search of the Chevy turned up a handgun.  After interviewing the female passenger, it was discovered she was in a relationship with Hernandez and that he had physically assaulted her earlier that evening.  When the victim attempted to use her cell phone to call police, Hernandez grabbed the phone and broke it.  Through further investigation, officers determined Hernandez was driving the Chevy when both Airport Police and Anchorage Police attempted to stop him on February 11th, and he was the driver involved in the hit-and-run collision on February 9th.

Rogelio Hernandez was remanded at the Anchorage Jail on the charges of Felony DUI (2 or more previous offenses in the last 10 years), Fail to Stop at Direction of a Police Officer, Interfere with the Reporting of a DV Crime, Assault III, Misconduct Involving a Weapon III – Felon in Possession, Fail to Stop – Reckless Driving, Misconduct Involving a Weapon IV – Possess While Intoxicated, and Leave the Scene of an Accident.

APD Cases 23-4540, 23-4791, and 23-4996

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.