Louisville Metro Police say a woman was so afraid of her husband's threats Monday night that she jumped out of a moving vehicle, causing substantial physical injuries to herself.
Her husband -- the man who was arrested -- is the son of Louisville Metro Police Chief Robert White.
Police say 30-year-old Robert C. White Jr., was arguing with his wife over a possible divorce. As the argument escalated, White allegedly slapped her with the back of his hand and she cried out, "Let me out! Let me out!"
Police say White grabbed her by her arm and held her down against her will, then punched her in the face again. He also began to poke and "intimidate" her, "threatening to kill" her and her family.
Eventually she was able to break free and, fearing for her life, police say she "jumped from the moving vehicle to safety, causing substantial physical injury."
Police say White was driving erratically and at a high rate of speed when it happened.
White was arrested shortly before 8 p.m. in the 1500 block of Isleworth Drive, near Arnold Palmer Blvd. Monday night. He was charged with assault, unlawful imprisonment and terroristic threatening.
WDRB News was there when White appeared before a judge to be arraigned Monday morning.
Describing White as "homicidal and suicidal," the prosecutor asked the judge that White's $25,000 bond be increased. To bolster her argument she provided more details about what allegedly happened after White's wife leaped from the vehicle.
"After she jumped out of the moving car, a passing motorist saw her do that and called 911," the prosecutor said. "He [White] went over to his parents' home. His father was out of town. His mother was there. He proceeded to drink a large amount of alcohol. He then stated that his life was over. He was going to kill himself. He went to look for a gun in the home. The gun had been moved. Luckily the police made it to the home before anything tragic happened."
Louisville Metro Police were expected to hold a press conference Monday morning at 10:45 a.m.