High-speed chase ends in semi truck driver's death on the Parks Highway
FAIRBANKS - A semi tractor driver led law officers on a high speed chase down the Parks Highway, then killed himself near Nenana, Alaska State Troopers said.
Sound off on the important issues at
Authorities believe the driver, Steven Richard Schnekenburger, 35, of Wasilla, died Monday of a gunshot wound.
The incident began shortly after 2 a.m. when two airport police officers tried to pull over Schnekenburger's red Peterbilt truck on the Mitchell Expressway near University Avenue in west Fairbanks.
Shortly after the initial contact, troopers took a call from a family member who said Schnekenburger had threatened to kill his relative.
"It was our belief he was headed south to follow through with his threats," troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters told the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner by e-mail.
The truck did not stop initially for airport officers and continued to the Parks Highway, pulling over near Sheep Creek Road a few miles out of the city.
Troopers said Schnekenburger backed up the truck and tried to ram the patrol car, then sped down the Parks Highway toward Nenana at speeds between 60 and 90 mph.
Outside Nenana, a trooper laid down spike strips that punctured the truck's front tires. The semi driver kept going on rims but crashed at about 3:15 a.m. near Mile 292.
A police negotiator tried to contact the driver by radio, cell phone and bullhorn. Troopers pepper-sprayed the truck trying to flush out the driver.
Shortly after 7 a.m., officers entered the truck and found the driver dead.
Schnekenburger's family told authorities he was distressed about personal issues and that he was known to carry a handgun and shotgun in the truck, Peters said.
The Parks Highway was closed between miles 294 and 210 for three and a half hours.