Assault at truck stop leads to arrest, court appearance

Matthew Emerzian made his first court appearance this week after being arrested by deputies from the Deuel County Sheriff's Office last month for domestic assault, first degree false imprisonment and strangulation which are all felonies as well as carrying a concealed weapon, a misdemeanor.

The 30-year-old Emerzian engaged in a domestic dispute, witnessed by several people at the Big Springs truck stop in Deuel County in October.

Law enforcement spoke with many who said they witnessed the assault at the truck stop. All of them told very similar stories, according to the arrest affidavit. They all claimed that a man and a woman were fighting inside a camper at the truck stop. Witnesses agreed that the woman screamed, "Help me, help me."

A number of the witnesses attempted to assist the woman. At one point the man tried to drive away, while the woman was hanging out the door of the camper, according to the affidavit. At least two witness stated that the man was holding the woman by the throat at one point.

Once located, the alleged victim had a laceration near her eye, marks on her throat and older bruises on her head. The alleged victim stated that Emerzian became angry with her after she bought a lottery ticket at the Big Springs truck stop and began to choke her. She reportedly said she thought that he was going to leave her at the gas station and take her dog and her belongings.

The two allegedly began arguing when she got back in the camper and Emerzian reportedly hit her. She stated that he was hitting her in an attempt to make her fall out of the vehicle. Emerzian then grabbed her by the hair and tried to pull her back into the vehicle, the alleged victim reported.

She saw some of the witnesses coming toward her and Emerzian, and yelled for help.

Law enforcement found a knife in the camper upon further search, within the reach of the driver's seat. The two were traveling together from California.