All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Riverton, WY) – Fremont County man Craig Tillman, 32, faces an aggravated assault and battery felony charge for an alleged incident occurring on July 27th.
Tillman had reportedly been “drifting” his vehicle near several homes, when a resident informed him that kids lived there and that he needed to stop. The two men then got into a physical altercation, resulting in Tillman getting back into his car and hitting the resident with the vehicle. He then crashed into the resident’s home while attempting to hit him a second time before leaving the scene.
Tillman also faces misdemeanor charges for the incident, including: driving or having control of a vehicle while under the influence (DWUI), interference with a peace officer, property destruction or defacement, duty to stop vehicle where accident involves death or personal injuries, and no registration.
Tillman waived his preliminary hearing, and the case will now move to District Court, with an arraignment date set for September 2nd.
On the morning of July 27th, Riverton Police Department (RPD) was dispatched to a Riverton residential area for a REDDI (Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately) report of a driver that had possibly hit one of the homes.
As the officer made his way to the scene, he overheard radio traffic that indicated another officer had pulled over the suspected driver.
Upon arriving at the scene of the traffic stop, the first officer observed the second contacting the male driver, who positively identified himself as Craig Tillman.
Tillman was reportedly swaying side to side and front to back, and the officer observed fresh blood around his lips, coming from his mouth.
When asked what happened to his lip, Tillman alleged that his “handicap brother, who was also in the vehicle, had hit him in the mouth while having a seizure.”
The report also indicates that Tillman’s eyes were “bloodshot and watery, and his speech was slurred when he spoke.”
After the officer was informed that attempts were being made to locate the allegedly damaged trailer home, he then asked Tillman if he could conduct a Standardized Field Sobriety Test.
Although he initially agreed, during the “walk and turn” portion of the test, Tillman reportedly refused to continue, repeatedly talking over the officer’s requests.
The officer then informed Tillman that due to his refusal and overall conduct he was being placed under arrest for DWUI.
When the officer placed Tillman in handcuffs, he “became combative and attempted to twist away,” but the officers were eventually able to get him in the patrol vehicle without further incident.
Responding officers were then informed of the contact made with the resident of the damaged home.
Tillman had allegedly been observed “drifting” his vehicle near the homes, when one of the residents approached to inform him that children were in the area, and that he needed to stop.
After they exchanged words, a physical altercation commenced, at which point Tillman got into his vehicle and backed into the home.
As he pulled forward, Tillman struck the resident with his vehicle, causing “multiple abrasions to his back and stomach area.”
Tillman then attempted to chase the resident down with his vehicle a second time, striking a fence post in the process, and drove off.
Officers then took photographs of both the structural damage and the resident’s injuries.
Tillman’s arraignment date has been set for September 2nd.
The maximum penalty for the aggravated assault and battery felony charge is a 10 year prison sentence.
The maximum penalty for the DWUI misdemeanor charge is six months imprisonment and a $750 fine.
The maximum penalty for the interference with a peace officer misdemeanor charge is one year imprisonment and a $1,000 fine.
The maximum penalty for the property destruction and defacement misdemeanor charge is six months imprisonment and a $750 fine.
The maximum penalty for the duty to stop vehicle where accident involves death or personal injuries misdemeanor charge is one year imprisonment and a $5,000 fine.
The maximum penalty for the no registration misdemeanor charge is six months imprisonment and a $750 fine.
County 10 will provide updates on the case as it progresses, which can be found here.