Idaho Falls woman accused of beating other driver in parking lot
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AMMON — A 30-year-old Idaho Falls woman was charged after allegedly beating another woman in a parking lot in July over a near-traffic collision.
Jaydena Elaine Simpson was charged with two felonies: aggravated battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon or instrument.
According to court documents, a deputy responded to a report of assault in the Hobby Lobby and Kneader’s parking lot on 25th East on July 6 at 7 p.m., where two witnesses had heard yelling from across the parking lot and had seen a physical fight.
A third witness said that two vehicles pulled into the Kneader’s parking lot and the suspect, Simpson, retrieved a tire iron from the back of her car. She allegedly swung the tire iron and threatened the woman in the other vehicle.
The victim told the deputy on the scene that she had pulled into the parking lot to avoid a collision after Simpson had slammed on her brakes to keep the victim from passing. She said Simpson claimed that she had not used her turn signal, cut her off and almost hit her.
Once both vehicles were in the parking lot, Simpson then allegedly threatened the woman with a tire iron, stating that she would “f*** your car up and f*** you up.”
To draw attention to her situation, the victim waved down another person and tried to get back into her car and leave the parking lot. Simpson came up to her driver’s side door and began to repeatedly slam the victim’s head into the car, the victim said. Simpson then left the parking lot shortly after witnesses began yelling at her and honking their horns.
The victim had a bloodied face and hands. Later that evening, a CT scan showed the victim’s nose and septum were broken in three different places.
Simpson was released on her own recognizance, and her preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 19.
She is being represented by a public defender. The Idaho State Public Defender’s office does not comment on pending cases.
Though Simpson has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean she committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.