This is nothing short of crazy... 26-Year-Old Man Arrested in Connection With Iditarod Crashes By dan joling, associated press ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Mar 12, 2016, 6:15 PM ET A man suspected of intentionally driving a snowmobile into teams of two mushers near the front of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race was arrested Saturday in a Yukon River village. Arnold Demoski, 26, of Nulato was arrested on suspicion of assault, reckless endangerment, reckless driving and six counts of criminal mischief. A message left for Demoski at his home was not immediately returned. He told the Alaska Dispatch News that he had not intentionally driven into the dog teams of Aily Zirkle and Jeff King, but he had blacked out while returning from drinking in another village. The crashes killed one of King's dogs and injured at least two others 12 miles outside of Nulato. One of Zirkle's dogs also was injured. Iditarod officials at first reported King had been injured. But the four-time champion said later the snowmobile had missed both him and his sled when it crashed into his dogs at high speed from behind. Zirkle, 46, who finished second three times from 2012 to 2014, was mushing from Kokukuk to Nulato, a run of less than 20 miles (32.19 kilometers) on the Yukon River, when she was hit, race marshal Mark Nordman said Saturday. The snowmobile hit the side of Zirkle's sled about 5 miles (8.05 kilometers) out of Koyukuk, turned around multiple times and came back at her before driving off, Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said by email. The snowmobile reappeared 12 miles (19.31 kilometers) out of Nulato. The driver revved up and was pointed at Zirkle before leaving, Peters said. One dog on her team was bruised. Officials described the injury as non-life-threatening. King, a four-time Iditarod champion, was behind Zirkle and fared worse. When King reached the vicinity, he was struck from behind by the snowmobile, and at least three of his dogs were hit. Nash, a 3-year-old male, was killed. Crosby, another 3-year-old male, and Banjo, a 2-year-old male, received injuries and are expected to survive.
Operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol whether its a car, boat, motorcycle or snowmobile is no excuse for reckless behavior. Responsibility for actions in such a situation should fall directly on that person and not blamed on the alcohol and then excused. Just another boozer loser. Hit him where it hurts so he's got time to think about it before he does it again.
I have to agree, there are some times that vigilante justice is the right way to go. The corrections system doesnt work quite right for some kinds of crazies.
Hurting my pets, is worse than hurting me.... this boy needs his butt seriously kicked.... my uncle had a sled dog team and always carried in case of emergency. .. this bozo would have qualified.... he would have sobered up quick!
Mrs TD read this to me earlier. We always check out the Iditerod and Canam race headlines. We have seen many mushers while out riding. And I always smile when I see the little doggy boots laying along the trails. This story makes my blood boil to say the least. This was clearly no accident...I'm not sure I could let the law take care of this situation all by themselves...
I deleted my long winded post. It was full of illegal activies that would of been justified for the guy.
