INFORMATION RELEASE

On 02/16/2021, at about 7:33 PM, the Juneau Police Department received a report of a male wearing dark clothing,  jumping in front of vehicles in the 3400 block of Glacier Highway. Another caller reported the same male tried getting into a passing vehicle.

Police responded to the area and located a 28-year-old male walking in the middle of the outbound lane of Egan Drive, near Channel Drive. The male appeared very agitated and was attempting to get in the way of travelling vehicles. Officers attempted to speak with the man to get him out of the roadway, but he wouldn't comply. Officers eventually attempted to physically move the man away from oncoming traffic, but he pulled away and went back into the roadway. Further attempts to remove the man from the roadway resulted in an altercation in which the man had to be physically restrained in handcuffs. During the incident, one officer sustained minor injuries to their hand and the 28-year-old male sustained a minor injury to the face.

The man was taken to the hospital for medical evaluation and held there. No arrest was made at the time and charges will be forwarded to the City Attorney's office for assault, resisting arrest and obstructing highways.

During the above incident, officers were physically trying to restrain the 28-year-old male in and around the roadway. While doing so, they placed themselves in danger of being struck by passing vehicles. While the officers were preoccupied, an unknown motorist stopped and  helped to direct traffic around the officers. The Juneau Police Department would like to thank the actions of this motorist. We appreciate them recognizing the struggle the officers were in and that while doing so, they weren't able to keep their surroundings safe. The actions of the motorist helped to keep the scene safe while officers performed their duties.