Man arrested after snowmobile hits sled dogs in Iditarod race

A man has been arrested on suspicion of driving a snowmobile into two dog teams competing in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaskaearly Saturday morning, killing one dog and injuring at least three others.

Mushers Aliy Zirkle and Jeff King were hitoutside the village of Nulato, a community of 236 onthe Yukon River a little more than halfway into the1,600-kilometrerace to Nome.

Alaskan State Troopers say 26-year-old Arnold Demoskiis being held on two counts of assault, reckless endangerment, reckless driving and six counts of criminal mischief.

Demoski told local media that he had not intentionally driveninto the dog teams, but had blacked out while returningfrom drinking in another village,

Race marshal Mark Nordman said Saturday that Zirkle, 46, whofinished second three times from 2012-2014, was mushing from Koyukukto Nulato, a run of less than 32 kilometreson the Yukon River, when she was hit.

The snowmobile hit the side of Zirkle's sled about8 kmout of Koyukuk, turned around multiple times and came
back at her before driving off, Alaska State Troopers spokeswomanMegan Peters said by email.

The snowmobile reappeared about19kilometresout ofNulato. He revved up and was pointed at Zirkle before leaving,
Peters said.

One dog on her team was bruised. Officials described the injuryas non-life-threatening.

1 dog dead, others injured

King, a four-time Iditarod champion, was behind Zirkle and faredworse.

When King reached the vicinity, he was struck from behind by thesnowmobile and at least three of his dogs were hit.Nash, a 3-year-old male, was killed. Crosby, another 3-year-oldmale, and Banjo, a 2-year-old male, received injuries and areexpected to survive.

Race officials said King received medical attention in Nulato,but troopers quoted King as saying he was not injured.

Troopers alsosaid five of King's dogs were injured.

Zirkle left Nulato with 14 dogs at 6:16 a.m., after dropping onedog in the village. She was in third place.

The race leader is former champion Mitch Seavey, who reachedKaltag at 7:41 a.m.

Brent Sass was running second. He left Nulato at 3:43 a.m.

Reigning champ Dallas Seavey, the son of Mitch Seavey, was infourth place. He left Nulato at 7:14 a.m.