Driver charged with DUI after crashing into a church at speeds of nearly 100 mph, police say

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) - A driver is facing numerous charges, including driving under the influence, after crashing and rolling his truck into an Anchorage church Wednesday night.

Wyatt Baker, 21, appeared in court on Thursday after he allegedly crashed into the Dimond Boulevard Gospel Hall while driving at up to 97 mph, according to police.

Baker’s charges include DUI, first-degree assault and reckless driving.

The Anchorage Police Department said Baker was driving a truck that evening with a passenger inside when he lost control and crashed into the church.

Charging documents stated that Baker’s blood alcohol content was determined to be twice the legal limit.

“It is a matter of luck that we are not here on homicide charges,” Alex Hyatt, representing the State of Alaska, said in court.

According to the criminal complaint, multiple witnesses reported almost getting hit, saying that they saw the truck switching lanes rapidly.

“The vehicle ultimately lost control, slid across all lanes, crashed into some rocks and flipped,” one witness in the criminal complaint said.

The complaint also said the passenger in the vehicle was initially presumed dead.

“... [the passenger] was in bad enough condition initially that officers thought that he was dead,” Hyatt said. “His head was through the glass in the back of the truck and was pinned between the flat roof and the truck bed.”

Baker and the passenger were taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

On Thursday, the defense pushed back against the assault charge, stating that the witness had minimal injuries, including cuts and bruises, when he was released from the hospital.

“The argument is that there’s limited information in the affidavit on the face of the complaint. I don’t see anything that constitutes a serious physical injury,” Baker’s defense attorney said. “I just don’t understand how we get to assault in the first degree with those injuries.”

The state said the passenger suffered serious injuries in the crash.

“I’ll also note that whenever officers first arrived, the victim ... was presumed deceased,” Hyatt said. “This is a pretty good indication that he suffered some very serious injuries ... we are going to receive more information regarding the extent of medical injuries, but at the moment, I believe there’s probable cause to support the charges here.”

The impact of the truck hitting the building also left significant damage to the exterior.

Authorities said Baker has previous charges on his record, including driving under the influence dating back to February, eluding officers in July, and driving without a license because of his February DUI.