Rathdrum man gets prison for eluding, DUI

COEUR d'ALENE — A man who prosecutors said led police on a high-speed chase while driving drunk in December 2025 will spend up to 15 years in prison, according to the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

Aaron L. Johnson, 43, of Rathdrum, pleaded guilty in May to eluding a peace officer, a felony, and excessive driving under the influence, a misdemeanor. 

First District Judge John Cafferty sentenced Johnson to 15 years in prison with parole eligibility after five years. 

"He has shown that he will not change," Cafferty said in court. "This is his third eluding charge and it keeps getting worse." 

The charges stem from the night of Dec. 26, 2025, when prosecutors said Idaho State Police troopers responded to a crash along Interstate 90 involving a white Dodge pickup truck. Troopers found Johnson driving the white truck away from the scene with no headlights on and a portion of the front bumper hanging off, prosecutors said. 

When police attempted to pull him over, Johnson exited I-90. He led troopers on a chase through a residential area, running a stop sign and driving down the middle of the road before reentering I-90, according to court records. 

Johnson continued to elude troopers while driving through construction zones at speeds over 100 mph, according to the prosecutor's office, before exiting I-90 again, where he drove through multiple red lights in business and residential areas and in the opposite lane of traffic. 

Police ultimately used spike strips and multiple PIT maneuvers to end the chase, prosecutors said. The PIT maneuver (precision immobilization technique) involves a patrol car making contact with a pursued vehicle. 

Johnson provided breath samples revealing breath alcohol concentrations of 0.204 and 0.191, more than twice the legal limit. 

In Idaho, a breath alcohol concentration of 0.20 or more is considered excessive DUI, punishable by up to a year in jail. Eluding is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. 

Prosecutors said Johnson's criminal history includes prior convictions for petit theft, assault or battery upon certain personnel, possession of controlled substances, fraud, grand theft, unlawful entry, domestic battery and possession of a stolen vehicle. 

His history also includes several driving-related offenses, including DUI, reckless driving and driving without privileges. 

Because Johnson had three previous felony convictions, he also faced a persistent violator enhancement. This enhancement mandates a prison sentence of at least five years and allows a court to impose a life sentence. 

Prosecuting attorney Corey Weber said prison time was appropriate. 

"He has had every opportunity at probation and multiple chances at retained jurisdiction," Weber said. "He has a support system, but no amount of support translates to Mr. Johnson using it. I don't know what the cause is, but he cannot be supervised safely in the community." 

Before handing down the sentence, Cafferty said Johnson's actions appear to be escalating. 

"I am not looking at this through the lens that Mr. Johnson is a bad person," Cafferty said. "I am looking at his behavior and how that affects him, society and the people around him." 

The North Idaho Crisis Center at 2301 Ironwood Place in Coeur d’Alene offers free, confidential help for people who are having substance abuse problems or a mental health crisis. 

The center is open 24/7. No referral is necessary. Call 208-625-4884.