JUNEAU POLICE DEPARTMENT
6255 ALAWAY AVENUE JUNEAU, ALASKA 99801
Business (907) 586-0600
Fax (907) 463-4808
Integrity, Courage, Service, Respect
INFORMATION RELEASE
Date: 2015-03-05
From: Officer Weske
Case or Incident: #150305-008
On 3/5/15 at 1552 hours, the Juneau Police Department (JPD) received a report of a single vehicle collision in the area of Egan Dr and Fred Meyer. The caller reported a vehicle was traveling inbound on Egan Dr when it left the roadway, struck a light pole, and went into the wetlands.
JPD Officers and Capital City Fire and Rescue (CCFR) were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival JPD Officers and CCFR personnel contacted the driver, 45 year old Juneau resident Kathleen Peterson, standing outside her vehicle.
Her vehicle, a 2008 Ford Escape, was totaled in the collision and a light pole had been knocked down, resulting in about $20,000 damage total.
Peterson was evaluated on scene and later transported by CCFR to Bartlett Regional Hospital for precautionary reasons.
An investigation revealed that Peterson was driving between 60 and 70 mph when she looked at her phone to view a text message. The excessive speed and distracted driving were the contributing factors in the collision.
Peterson was cited and released for Use of an Electronic Device While Driving, a Class ?A? Misdemeanor.
All factual allegations contained in this release are based upon preliminary investigation and are subject to change or clarification as the investigation continues. Any charges reported in this release are merely accusations and all persons named in this release are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.