The finish line of the Iditarod sled race. Photo from Iditarod Trail Committee / Facebook

An Alaska Native man is facing charges in connection with an incident that left one dog dead and several others injured along the trail of the Iditarod sled race.

Arnold Demoski, 26, told KTUU that he ran into the dog teams by accident after a night of drinking. He offered an apology after hearing of the death and injuries.

"I don't know how I can make it right," Demoski told the station on Saturday morning, hours after the crash at the Nulato checkpoint.

Demoski was arrested later in the day. He faces two counts of third degree assault, one count of reckless endangerment, one count of reckless driving and five counts of fifth degree criminal mischief.

“Over the years we have supported the race in all aspects from racers to dogs to logistics," Mickey Stickman, the chief of the Nulato Tribal Council, said in a statement quoted by KTVA. “We hope and pray this incident does not determine the future of the village of Nulato. The Native Village of Nulato apologizes for the harm to the mushers and their dog teams.”

The race concluded early Tuesday morning. Dallas Seavey won his fourth title and set another record for shortest time, Alaska Dispatch News reported.

Get the Story:
Snowmachiner faces assault, criminal mischief charges after striking dogs (KTUU 3/12)
After the killing of an Iditarod dog, Nulato unites behind mushers (Alaska Dispatch News 3/12)
Snowmachiner says he killed Iditarod dog while driving drunk (Alaska Dispatch News 3/12)
After crash, competitors press toward Iditarod finish line (AP 3/13)
Snowmobile Driver Apologizes for Hitting Iditarod Teams (The New York Times 3/14)
Dallas Seavey outruns his father to capture 4th Iditarod crown in record time (Alaska Dispatch News 3/15)