🚨 CARNAGE IN THE CREEK: Fiancee Released After Alleged Hit-and-Run Attempt
The saga of Home Improvement alum Zachery Ty Bryan and his fiancee, Johnnie Faye Cartwright, just took another shocking turn, escalating from alleged domestic assault to alleged vehicular battery with children present! Just in time for the holidays, both halves of this volatile couple are out of police custody following an insane incident in the Oregon wilderness that could have ended in tragedy.
Cartwright, 32, was released from custody on December 3, receiving a controversial “pre-trial release,” a spokesperson from Lane County’s Sheriff’s Office exclusively confirmed. This means she is back in the community—without posting bail—despite facing horrific charges. The conditions of her release are a closely guarded secret, fueling rumors that the court system is treating the celebrity case with kid gloves.
Her release came a full week before Bryan, 44, was also released on December 10, meaning for a crucial seven days, the alleged victim was still locked up while the alleged perpetrator of a near-fatal act was free. This reversal of fortunes is raising massive red flags about the priorities of the Oregon court system.
🚗 THE WILD SCENE: Truck, Kids, and a Crash
The details of the alleged November 29 incident are straight out of a horror movie. Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of reckless endangerment in a popular camping area northeast of Lowell. What they found was a disastrous scene involving the troubled pair and their three small children.
The Sheriff’s office issued a statement confirming the shocking sequence of events. Bryan, Cartwright, and their three young kids were driving together in a pickup truck when, at some point, Bryan got out and began walking on the road.
Then came the alleged, near-fatal moment: “Cartwright then attempted to run over Bryan, crashing the truck with the children inside into the ditch,” police alleged. Bryan was able to move out of the way and avoid injury.
This is not just a domestic dispute; this is alleged attempted vehicular assault with the children trapped inside the vehicle. The fact that Cartwright is out on a “pre-trial release” without bail, despite the severity of the alleged actions and the clear danger to the children, is shocking and highly disputed by legal experts.
🥃 ‘IMPAIRED’ Allegedly: DUI and Reckless Endangerment Charges
Adding to the chaos, authorities on the scene allegedly observed signs that “both were impaired.” This suggests that a highly volatile, life-threatening dispute occurred while both parents were allegedly under the influence—and with their three children in the truck.
Cartwright was officially arraigned on December 1 and pleaded not guilty to a terrifying list of charges: one count of driving under the influence, two counts of recklessly endangering another person, and three counts of reckless driving. The two counts of reckless endangerment are explicitly linked to the children’s safety during the alleged hit-and-run attempt.
In a bizarre twist, Cartwright was also granted a domestic violence-related no-contact order against Bryan, online records show. This suggests that while she is accused of allegedly trying to run him over, the court still recognizes her as a potential victim needing protection. The question is: who is protecting the children from the alleged volatility of both parents?
⛓️ Bryan’s Legal Loophole: Probation Violation and Clearance
Zachery Ty Bryan’s own arrest on the same day was not directly for the alleged car incident, but for allegedly violating his probation stemming from a prior assault conviction. Bryan has a long, troubled history with domestic violence arrests, making his situation far more complex.
However, in yet another twist, the former sitcom star has reportedly been “cleared” of the allegations, according to reports. He denied the probation violation claims and was released a week after Cartwright. His hearing for the violation is still set for Monday, December 15. The contradictory reports of being “cleared” while still having a scheduled court hearing suggest significant back-room legal maneuvering is taking place.
Regardless of his legal standing, the undisputed fact is that Bryan was allegedly the target of an attempted vehicular assault by his fiancee, while their children were mere feet away. This relationship is clearly a ticking time bomb.
💔 The No-Contact Order Paradox: Who Needs Protection?
The issuance of a domestic violence-related no-contact order for Cartwright against Bryan creates a legal paradox that screams of a relationship beyond repair. The court is effectively stating that the woman accused of driving a vehicle into her partner is simultaneously in need of protection from him.
This move is a massive red flag. Is the no-contact order a legal tool to separate two equally volatile people? Or is it evidence that, despite the horrific allegations against her, Cartwright herself may have been subjected to previous or ongoing abuse from the troubled actor? The public does not know the full, dark history of this engagement, but the legal documents suggest it is deeply toxic on both sides.
Meanwhile, the children are caught in the middle of two parents who were allegedly “impaired” and involved in a violent roadside incident. Child protective services MUST be watching this situation very closely.
🔮 Unstable Future: Court Dates and Custody Battles Loom
Both Bryan and Cartwright are facing crucial court dates in the coming week, but the real battle is likely to be for the custody of their three young children. With allegations of DUI, reckless endangerment, and domestic violence hanging over both parents, the long-term stability of the family unit is severely compromised.
Cartwright is due in court on Tuesday, December 16, and was granted permission to attend remotely—another layer of celebrity convenience in a serious legal matter. Bryan faces his own probation hearing on December 15. The simultaneous release of two individuals involved in such a volatile incident is an enormous risk.
Will the court finally step in to protect the children, or will Zachery Ty Bryan and Johnnie Faye Cartwright use their celebrity status and legal maneuvering to keep the kids caught in the crossfire of their chaotic relationship? This story is far from over, and the next few court appearances could be the breaking point for this train wreck couple.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
