On Monday, a routine traffic stop in Idaho Falls escalated into a high-stakes incident, resulting in multiple felony and misdemeanor charges against 43-year-old Joshua Edward Maddock of Pocatello. According to the Idaho State Police (ISP), the incident began at approximately 8:28 p.m. when a trooper stopped a 2023 white Toyota Camry on Interstate 15 at a Love’s truck stop in Bonneville County. The stop followed reports of a driver failing to maintain their lane, speeding, and nearly striking other vehicles.
During the interaction, the trooper identified Maddock as the driver and observed signs of impairment, establishing probable cause for a vehicle search. The situation escalated when Maddock became argumentative and attempted to re-enter his vehicle. A physical altercation ensued, and despite multiple attempts to subdue him with a taser, Maddock forcibly entered his car and fled, damaging portions of the truck stop’s fueling facility in the process.
Maddock’s vehicle was later found abandoned at Rush’s Truck Repair, where it had crashed through the entrance gate. With assistance from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and Shelley Police Department, authorities located Maddock hiding on the property. He was arrested and booked into the Bonneville County Jail on a range of charges, including felony counts of eluding in a vehicle, two counts of malicious injury to property (for damages at Love’s Truck Stop and Rush’s Truck Repair), possession of methamphetamine, and destruction of evidence. Misdemeanor charges include resisting and obstructing, driving under the influence, two counts of leaving the scene of a property damage crash, trespassing, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
ISP Captain Weadick highlighted the role of public vigilance, noting that the incident began with a concerned citizen’s call to *ISP (*477). He emphasized the importance of community cooperation in maintaining road safety and encouraged reporting suspicious or dangerous driving to *ISP or 911. The collaborative effort between ISP, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, and Shelley Police Department ensured Maddock’s swift apprehension, preventing further harm.
