Hunter T. Gruver

PARKER TWP — A man is accused of strangling and assaulting his girlfriend and later making a getaway from state police on a utility-terrain vehicle.

Troopers on Monday subsequently arrested Hunter T. Gruver, 21, of Summit Township on felony and other charges. He is in the Butler County Prison on $20,000 bail.

Police said the victim, an 18-year-old Parker area woman, told them that she and Gruver were riding on a UTV in the area of West Eldorado and Annisville roads in Parker Township about 12:30 a.m. Sunday when they got into an argument.

While traveling around 60 mph, according to court documents, he slammed on the brakes, causing the teen's head to hit the vehicle's dashboard.

She recounted that he got out and opened the passenger door, dragging her into a ditch and punching her in the body.

The couple eventually returned to the vehicle and traveled on West Eldorado Road before the defendant allegedly hit the brakes again, this time causing the victim's head to hit the door, documents said.

The woman told police Gruver exited the vehicle and dragged her out by the hair. He got back into the UTV, forcing her to run after the vehicle before also getting in, documents said.

They drove to the home of an acquaintance, according to a police affidavit, where the defendant “wrapped both hands around her neck, and strangled her.”

She said he stopped choking her when she began to lose consciousness.

She ultimately fell asleep. The next morning, she walked home. Police were contacted around 10:30 a.m. Monday.

Read more about this case in Friday's Butler Eagle.