nowmachiner faces assault, criminal mischief charges after striking dogs

A 26-year-old Nulato man says he was returning home from Koyukuk after a night of drinking when he struck Aliy Zirkle and Jeff King's teams in the early hours of Saturday with his snowmachine.

Arnold Demoski told Channel 2 News that when he woke up this morning and heard what happened to the mushers, he checked his snowmachine and knew he'd done it. The 2016 Ski-Doo was missing a cowling, or hood. Fresh, rust-colored stains marked the siding.

Demoski says he does not remember the collisions, which the Iditarod described as apparently intentional attacks. He also says he did not return to harass Zirkle later on the trail but says he wanted to check to make sure she was okay. He didn't have the courage to approach her and feared people would learn he had been drinking and driving, he said.


[link to m.ktuu.com]