LEWISBURG W.Va. (WVDN) – A Lewisburg man is facing felony charges after police say he violently assaulted and strangled his partner during an alcohol-fueled argument at their home, leaving her so terrified she fled barefoot along Interstate 64 in the middle of the night.
Officers responded early Friday morning after dispatchers received a report of a woman walking alone along the interstate near Lewisburg. According to a criminal complaint, the victim told authorities she had just escaped an attack at her home.
The victim reported that she had been assaulted by her partner, identified as Ryan Feury. She told officers she ran out of the house without her belongings, fearing for her life after the argument turned violent.
When officers arrived at the residence, they found Feury inside. He admitted that the two had been drinking heavily and arguing, but denied that anything physical had occurred. Police noted that he had fresh scratches on his arm, bruising on his hand and blood stains on his pants.
The victim was taken to Greenbrier Valley Medical Center for evaluation. There, she described a brutal assault that began as a verbal fight over their relationship. According to the complaint, the victim said Feury struck her in the face with a closed fist, kicked her in the ribs, bit her hand and strangled her until she could barely breathe.
She told police that at one point, Feury was sitting on top of her, pressing his hands around her neck so tightly that she began to lose consciousness. When she managed to break free, she ran from the home and ended up along the highway.
Officers documented multiple injuries, including swelling around her eyes, bruises on her face and body, scratches on her neck and a visible bite mark on her hand.
Feury was detained at the scene and later transported to Southern Regional Jail, where he remains in custody pending arraignment. Feury is charged with strangulation and domestic battery. Strangulation alone carries a potential prison sentence of one to five years if convicted.
Local authorities urge anyone experiencing domestic violence to reach out for help before a situation escalates. Area resources include victim advocates, shelters, and a 24-hour hotline for people in crisis.
