Post Falls man sentenced 15 years for attempt to ram police car

A Kootenai County jury on January 17 convicted 55-year-old Jonathan D. Manning of Post Falls of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for attempting to ram an unmarked police vehicle during a road‑rage incident. First District Judge Ross Pittman sentenced Manning to 15 years in prison, with parole eligibility after five years, and credited him for time already served on a related DUI charge.

Prosecutors argued that Manning’s actions posed a clear danger to officers and the public, and recommended a substantial term to reflect that threat. The court imposed the prison term after considering both the violent nature of the attempt and Manning’s behavior during proceedings; Judge Pittman referenced Manning’s courtroom demeanor as part of the sentencing rationale.

The conviction and sentence remove an individual the prosecutor characterized as dangerous from public roads and carry immediate local implications. For Kootenai County residents, the case underscores law enforcement concerns about escalating road‑rage incidents and shows the county’s courts are willing to apply enhanced penalties when a vehicle is used as a weapon against officers. The credit for time served on the related DUI ensures Manning’s overall custody time reflects both cases that brought him before the court.

Beyond the individual outcome, the decision will factor into how prosecutors, defense attorneys, and local agencies approach similar cases going forward. A 15-year sentence with parole eligibility after five years signals strong judicial emphasis on public safety and deterrence in violent traffic encounters. It also highlights the intersection of DUI enforcement and road‑rage prosecutions, where an impaired driver’s conduct can lead to additional, more severe felonies when violence or attempted violence against first responders is involved.

For community members, the case is a reminder of the elevated risks that confront drivers and officers during confrontations on county roads. It is likely to influence local discussions about traffic enforcement, officer safety measures, and public education on de-escalation during disputes. Victims and witnesses in road incidents may see this outcome as validation of reporting dangerous behavior to authorities.

What happens next is routine for felony convictions: Manning will be eligible to seek parole after five years, and any post-conviction motions or appeals could proceed through the appellate process. For now, the sentence removes a convicted offender from local streets and reinforces a legal posture that treats attempts to use motor vehicles as weapons against law enforcement as serious, punishable felonies.