At 5:45 PM on May 7, 2024, Anchorage Police swing shift patrol officers responded to E 6th Avenue and Karluk Street regarding a multi-vehicle crash wherein the suspect driver was attempting to flee and was being combative.

Upon arrival officers took custody of 51-year-old Thomas M. Romero who displayed multiple signs of intoxication.  After Romero agreed to participate in Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs), one of Romero’s hands was removed from the handcuffs.  Romero used that free hand to strike one of the officers.  Romero physically fought the officers as they reapplied the cuffs.  He continued to be combative as he was escorted to a police vehicle and placed in the back seat.  The decision was made to charge Romero with Operating under the Influence.

Once they arrived at the jail for further processing, Romero provided a breath sample which showed his breath alcohol content was more than two and a half times the legal limit.  Due to his behavior and level of intoxication, Romero was driven to a hospital for medical clearance where he continued his assaultive behavior by kicking at the officers.  Afterwards he was transported back to the Anchorage Correctional Complex where he was remanded on the charges of OUI, Reckless Driving, two counts of Violate Conditions of Release, Leaving the Scene of a Crash, and Resisting.  He was cited for Driving with a Revoked License and Driving without Proof of Insurance.

The preliminary investigation indicates that Thomas Romero was driving a 1999 blue Jeep east on 6th Avenue when he drove between two lanes striking a 2017 black Dodge.  Romero put the Jeep in reverse, and drove backwards striking a 2013 silver Toyota, a 2006 blue Subaru, and a 2017 silver Ford.  Romero drove the wrong way into oncoming traffic, up onto the sidewalk, and finally stopped when the Jeep became disabled on a stop sign Romero had struck and run over.  Romero attempted to walk away before being stopped by other citizens.

Throughout the entire ordeal Romero was verbally threatening towards citizens at the crash site, the officers, and medical staff.  All the victim vehicles were occupied when they were struck.  There were no injuries.

APD Case 24-14089

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