A Winnipeg woman is in hospital after police say her common-law husband purposely drove his vehicle into a parked semi in an attempt to kill her.
The crash happened after the couple began arguing at a nightclub in the 500 block of Portage Avenue early New Year’s Day.
The 22-year-old victim was forced into the vehicle by her 31-year-old partner and repeatedly assaulted in the upper body in the front passenger seat.
“There’s no question, some unusual and pretty scary circumstances here,” Const. Jason Michalyshen said on Sunday.
Police say the man eventually began driving erratically and drove the side of the vehicle into a parked semi-trailer truck in the area of Arlington Street and St. Matthews Avenue. He then fled the scene on foot, leaving the victim trapped inside. She was eventually freed by the jaws of life and remains in hospital in stable condition.
Christopher Rutherford, 31, was arrested at 11:40 p.m. the same day. He faces numerous charges, including kidnapping and attempted murder.
Michalyshen said one of charges the accused faces involves breaching a condition that prevented him from contacting the woman.
Rutherford remains in custody.
— Staff / with files from The Canadian Press
