A Palmer man was arrested Thursday after trying to pull a gun on officers who had stopped him for drunkenly driving his ATV.
Alaska State Troopers stopped 38-year-old Derrick Peterson on his four wheeler just before 1 a.m. Thursday. Officers were responding to a report of a dangerous driver near mile three of the Knik Goose Bay Road.
Trooper spokesperson Megan Peters said Peterson was reported to be driving on the roadway at a high rate of speed with no lights on. He was stopped around mile four of the KGB road.
Troopers said they found Peterson to be operating the side-by-side ATV while drunk and with a revoked license.
When officers tried to arrest him, they say he became uncooperative, at one point breaking away and trying to get back on his ATV. While pulling him away from the vehicle, Troopers say they saw a handgun, which they say Peterson then reached for. The ensuing struggle took both officer and suspect to the ground before Peterson was handcuffed and Troopers secured the gun.
Troopers said Peterson also gave a false name and date of birth, as well as refused to give a breath sample.
Peterson was remanded to the Mat-Su Pretrial facility, and faces 11 charges, including assault with intent to cause fear using a weapon, felony possession of a firearm, and driving under the influence.
Some charges stem from Peterson’s criminal history, which includes a 2009 felony conviction for assault.
He is being held without bail and with a required court-appointed third party.