Man arrested after allegedly causing head-on crash, trying to take deputy’s gun

IDAHO FALLS — A man was charged after allegedly causing a head-on car crash and trying to take a gun from a deputy.

Aaron Michael Wilburn, 35, is charged with felonies for aggravated battery with the use of a deadly weapon, assault or battery while attempting to remove a firearm from an officer, battery on a law enforcement officer, and a misdemeanor for resisting or obstructing officers.

According to court documents, on Sunday around 4:40 a.m., Bonneville County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a head-on car crash with injuries on North Ammon Road and Greenwillow Lane.

When deputies arrived, they noticed a 2002 green Dodge Dakota pickup truck and a 2020 black Toyota Highlander on the east side of North Ammon Road, with the Dodge facing north and the Toyota facing south.

The cars appeared to have struck head-on, and the airbags were deployed. Deputies say a man with no shoes on was getting back into the driver’s seat of the Toyota.

They also noticed a woman in the Dodge’s driver’s seat who stated she was “OK and that her neck was feeling a little pain.”

Deputies identified the male driver as Wilburn. According to deputy reports, Wilburn did not make any sense when talking and would “mumble and talk under his breath.” Reports say that deputies were unsure if Wilburn was “either suffering from a mental health episode, a head injury or narcotic influence.”

Wilburn eventually got out of the car, and deputies say his “head movements were quick and darting back and forth,” further noting that “he could not focus on anything.”

When asked if he had taken any substances, Wilburn allegedly said yes but would not say what the substances were.

Wilburn then allegedly “moved toward (a deputy) with his arms outstretched to grab (the deputy).” Wilburn then walked away, and deputies decided to detain him. As they were putting handcuffs on him, Wilburn reportedly “spun around and began to punch the deputy.

Wilburn allegedly said, “Give me that gun,” and reached toward the officer’s duty pistol before the deputy was able to get him on the ground.

He reportedly continued to fight with deputies and firefighters but was eventually put in a full-body restraint known as a Safety Wrap. Wilburn was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for treatment. Court documents do not mention substance abuse tests.

The driver of the Dodge said Wilburn was driving south on North Ammon Road, while she was traveling north. She pulled over to the side of the road to avoid him and saw Wilburn “stop his vehicle briefly and then rapidly accelerate at her, causing the head-on collision.”

Wilburn was booked into the Bonneville County Jail on Monday on a $150,000 bond. He posted bail and was released the same day. Wilburn is expected to appear for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 14. If convicted, he could face up to 26 years in prison.

Though Wilburn has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.