Man causes car to crash during domestic dispute then beats victim

By Joe Johnson

A Walton County man caused his girlfriend to crash while driving on the Athens Perimeter then beat her after getting out of the car.

The incident happened on the evening of September 24th when Jartavious Antonio Bell from Monroe was a passenger in a car being driven by his 38-year-old girlfriend.

According to police, while the couple argued, Bell began hitting the woman then grabbed and jerked the steering wheel, causing the car to crash into a wall.

He then flagged down a passing vehicle and forced the victim to get in, and after being dropped off at a convenience store on Newton Bridge Road Bell attacked the victim again, punching and kicking her before leaving in yet another vehicle.

Police said they would seek arrest warrants charging Bell with simple battery, reckless conduct, and kidnapping.

He was later arrested in Barrow County for an unrelated matter.

Anyone who is in an abusive relationship can seek advice and support services by calling Project Safe's 24-hour hotline at (706) 543-3331, or by visiting http://www.project-safe.org