The fiancée of former Home Improvement star Zachery Ty Bryan is back in custody following an alleged violent incident where she is accused of trying to run him over with their three young children present in the vehicle.
Explosive Incident in Oregon
According to records from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, the dramatic event unfolded in Eugene, Oregon, on 29 November. Police reported that Bryan, 44, and his fiancée, Johnnie Faye Cartwright, 32, were driving together with their children when an argument escalated.
Authorities state that Bryan exited the pickup truck and began walking down the road. It is alleged that Cartwright then attempted to strike him with the vehicle, subsequently crashing into a ditch. All three children were inside the car at the time, though thankfully no one was injured.
Officers noted that both individuals were impaired at the time of the incident. Bryan managed to avoid being hit. Both were arrested at the scene.
Legal Repercussions and Past Struggles
Cartwright faces serious charges including Attempted Assault in the First Degree, three counts of Recklessly Endangering, and DUI. Bryan was arrested for a probation violation related to an earlier fourth-degree assault charge. The children were placed with a family member.
This week, a judge denied Cartwright’s request to modify her pretrial release after a warrant was issued for her arrest over alleged violations connected to the case. She is scheduled for another hearing on 18 December. Bryan was released with no bail required.
This incident is the latest in a series of legal troubles for the former actor. In a recent statement to TMZ, Bryan linked his difficulties to the pressures of childhood fame. "Being thrust into the spotlight at nine-years-old brought pressures I wasn't equipped to handle," he said, while acknowledging this was no excuse for his adult actions.
He expressed deep regret, stating he is embarking on a journey of personal growth involving therapy and rehabilitation programmes. Bryan has been arrested for domestic violence-related incidents twice before, in October 2020 and this past January.
A Pattern of Allegations
Separately, an ex-girlfriend of Bryan was recently granted a five-year restraining order against him. She alleged in court documents that he became physically violent in July and threatened to kill her. No criminal charges were filed from that allegation.
Bryan's former co-star, Tim Allen, commented on his struggles in 2022, calling him a "complex man" who had deviated from the person he knew.
The case highlights ongoing issues of domestic violence and the complex legacy of early fame. If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, confidential support is available via the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
