Drunk man drives snowmobile into pack of sled dogs at Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, killing one

Arnold Demoski said he only realised he was responsible the next morning after reading the news and checking his snowmobile

Arnold Demoski was charged with colliding his snowmobile with the Iditarod trail sled dog race teams, near Nulato, Alaska. Demoski, 26, of Nulato was arrested on suspicion of assault, reckless endangerment, reckless driving and six counts of criminal mischief (AP)

An Alaskan man has said he woke up after a night of heavy drinking to the news that someone had ploughed into two teams of mushers in a sled dog race, only to realise he was responsible after checking his snowmobile.

Arnold Demoski, 26, heard on the news that someone had intentionally driven a snowmobile into the teams at the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, killing one dog. It was then, Mr Demoski said, that he checked his snowmobile and saw it was missing a part and had rose-coloured stains. He was later arrested on suspicion of assault, reckless endangerment, reckless driving and six counts of criminal mischief.

Mr Demoski said he was returning home from a night of drinking when he struck Aliy Zirkle and Jeff King’s teams early on Saturday morning. The crashes killed one of Mr King’s dogs and injured at least two others. One of Ms Zirkle’s dogs also was injured.

Mr Demoski said he doesn’t remember the collisions, which the Iditarod described as apparently intentional attacks. “I just want to say I’m sorry,” he said.

Ms Zirkle, 46, was mushing on the Yukon River, when she was hit, race marshal Mark Nordman said.

The snowmobile hit the side of her sled, turned around multiple times and came back at her before driving off, Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said. Mr Demoski told local media that he did not return to harass Ms Zirkle. He said he wanted to check to make sure she was OK.

Mr King said his team was struck from behind by the snowmobile.

AP