A trial date of May 21st has been set for a Sealaska board member and University of Alaska Southeast administration official arrested for driving under the influence.
Joseph Galen Nelson, 42, was pulled over near 12th Street and Glacier Highway at about 2 o’clock in the morning of February 9th. The officer said that he witnessed Nelson’s black Toyota FJ Cruiser swerving, accelerating quickly, and speeding. Nelson allegedly had watery eyes and said he had three drinks. The officer said that Nelson failed field sobriety tests and registered a .091 blood alcohol content. That’s over the legal limit of .08 for intoxication.
According to police records, Nelson’s vehicle was impounded.
According to court records, Nelson did not appear for arraignment three days later. Instead, his attorney entered a not guilty plea for misdemeanor driving under the influence.
A pretrial hearing is schedule for May 13th.
Nelson has been a member of the board of directors of Sealaska native corporation since 2003. He’s currently employed as Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at UAS.
