One man is missing and another in jail after a Saturday boating accident that dumped bottles of alcohol into the Kuskokwim River near Napakiak, troopers say.
Troopers and volunteers are searching for Walter Springer, 25, who vanished after the boat overturned, troopers said.
Crew members aboard a barge traveling the river spotted the boat and a man -- Michael Treat, 27 -- on the riverbank, said troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters. There also were 17 unopened bottles of Rich & Rare whiskey on the riverbank, Peters said.
Troopers later arrested Treat and charged him with importing alcohol to a dry community and violating conditions of a previous release from jail. Napakiak residents voted in 1987 to ban the sale, importation and possession of alcohol, according to the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
"We received multiple reports that the two men were traveling together," Peters said. But investigators are not sure if Springer is a suspect in the alcohol importation case, she said.
"We wouldn't know until we have a conversation with him," Peters said. Springer could be hiding, lost or drowned, she said.
Troopers and volunteers with Bethel Search and Rescue have searched the river and the surrounding wilderness, Peters said. Efforts to find Springer continued Wednesday with search dogs, she said.
Reach Casey Grove at casey.grove@adn.com or 257-4589.
By CASEY GROVE
Anchorage Daily News