Sheriff’s deputy assaulted by hit-and-run suspects

Two Santa Barbara men are facing criminal charges after allegedly attacking a Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputy after fleeing the scene of a violent crash near the area of Patterson Avenue and U.S. Highway 101 early Wednesday morning.

The Sheriff’s Office says California Highway Patrol officers were called out to the scene of the crash at about 2 a.m. CHP officers discovered a car on its roof and the driver nearby. Investigators say the suspect car crashed into the victim’s car and sent it down a nearby embankment causing it to overturn.

While investigating the crash site, authorities received reports of a car driving on its rims and having front-end damage in the area of Turnpike Road and Hollister Avenue. A Sheriff’s deputy located the car, a white Toyota Tundra pickup truck, with the two suspects, later identified as 34-year-old Jared Ashton and 25-year-old Micah Wroten.

The Sheriff’s Office says the deputy saw Ashton walking away from the car as he appeared intoxicated, while Wroten was standing nearby.

The following description of events is taken directly from a Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office press release:

“The deputy attempted to direct Ashton onto the sidewalk and out of the roadway but he became verbally confrontational and refused to comply with lawful orders. As the deputy attempted to detain him, Wroten moved in from the deputy’s side and struck him in the face. A fistfight ensued with both male suspects throwing punches and hitting the deputy several times, in the face, back, head and upper body. The deputy continued to fight back in an attempt to detain the suspects. The male suspects continued punching him and during the incident the deputy sustained a bite on his hand.”

Minutes later, responding law enforcement personnel took Ashton and Wroten into custody and assisted the deputy.

“Even after being handcuffed, Wroten continued to resist. He kicked at deputies and the patrol car causing damage,” said the press release.

The deputy suffered moderate injuries to his head, back, elbows, knees hands and wrist, and had to be taken to the hospital for medical attention, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Ashton and Wroten were treated for minor injuries then booked at Santa Barbara County Jail for resisting arrest with force and violence, as well as charged with DUI hit-and-run. Their bail is set at $500,000.