MOORESVILLE, N.C. — The Rowan County Sheriff's Office said a man is facing charges after he allegedly hit his girlfriend twice while driving his pickup truck.
Deputies were called to Deal Road near Karriker Farms Road around 8 p.m. on Sunday. Fire and EMS personnel were tending to the woman, and deputies found surveillance camera footage at a nearby business. According to the sheriff's office, the footage showed the man identified as Leslie Joel Mills driving a blue Dodge pickup truck passing the woman at first. However, the footage reportedly shows him backing the truck up to hit her, knocking her down.
Mills is then allegedly seen on camera stopping the truck and pulling forward, hitting the woman again. He eventually gets out and kneels beside her before getting back in the truck and driving away.
Deputies said Mills was found still operating the truck nearby. They were able to stop him and take him into custody, with arresting deputies reporting he may have been intoxicated. Mills is now charged with driving while impaired and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious bodily injury. He remains in jail on a domestic hold with no bond.
The victim was taken to a Charlotte-area hospital for treatment. She had serious injuries, and deputies said at last check she was in critical condition. She is expected to recover, however.
The sheriff's office told WCNC Charlotte they were unable to share footage of the incident.
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.