A felon on parole was arrested on a felony battery warrant Wednesday stemming from allegations he brutally attacked his ex-girlfriend and tried to run over her with his car in May.
Tyler Lee Merritt, 25, who lists a Cedar Heights Lane address, was taken into custody around 5:30 p.m. and charged with second-degree domestic battery, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Merritt remained in custody Thursday on a zero bond and is set to appear today in Garland County District Court. He was previously convicted of robbery on Dec. 4, 2017, and sentenced to six years in prison, but later paroled. On Nov. 16, 2020, he was convicted of theft by receiving over $1,000 and sentenced to six years in prison, with all six years suspended.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on May 25, shortly after 12:30 a.m., Hot Springs police responded to Centerview Street regarding a battery that had just occurred. They found a woman lying on the ground holding her stomach complaining of pain. She was transported by LifeNet to a local hospital.
A male witness at the scene told police he heard an argument in the street outside his house and looked outside to see a black Silverado pickup truck at the intersection. He then saw the victim get pushed out of the passenger side door and he believed the other passengers were hitting her.
The witness stated there at least two other people in the truck, but could not provide descriptions. As he exited his house to help the victim, he noted he saw one suspect throw a glass bottle at her and then attempt to run her over with the truck.
The witness said he was running toward the truck yelling and he believes he scared them away. He said then dragged the victim into the brush beside the road "for fear of her being harmed further" and called police.
Officers later spoke with the victim, who had injuries to her arms, hands, face and neck and a broken rib. She stated she was "riding around town" with her ex-boyfriend, identified as Merritt, and some of his friends.
She reportedly admitted she had been drinking and "could only remember parts of the night." She said sometime during the night, Merritt began punching her and she ended up on the ground and then woke up at the hospital.
A warrant for Merritt's arrest was issued on June 2.