Man Allegedly Assaulted and Strangled a Woman Inside His Car

Just before 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Missoula Police Officers received a report of a disturbance in a vehicle near the intersection of Reserve Street and Mullan Road. The caller reported that they observed a female passenger getting her head “slammed in” and a male yelling at her. Police Public Information Officer Travis Welsh explains.

“When the officers arrived at that location, the vehicle was no longer there and they discovered that it had actually turned and traveled westbound on Mullan Road,” Welsh said. “A short time after that, the officers were notified that a complainant had called in from a residence near Mullan Road and Shindig Drive about a female who had been out in the cold and had injuries.”

The officers responded to that location and made contact with the adult female. The officer noted that she was wearing only a bra, with her winter coat, pants, and one sock on her bare feet. The officer conducted an initial physical inspection and noted multiple lacerations to the female’s body and face.

The officer said the female was extremely hysterical, as she was sobbing and grabbing the leg of a complete stranger and yelling, “not again.” The female reported that she was one of the occupants of the vehicle and that the other was 37-year-old Bryan Doyle.

“The victim had several injuries on her face and neck and displayed evidence of injury from what appeared to be strangulation,” Welsh said. “That was later confirmed after she explained to the officers what had happened in the vehicle. The victim was transported by ambulance to the hospital for treatment of her injuries. Other officers responded to Mr. Doyle’s residence on Potter Park Loop.”

The victim told the officer that while they were stopped at a light, Doyle turned to her and started “banging” her head off the dashboard and then strangled her as she sat in the passenger seat of his vehicle.

She said that she believes she tried to stop him, but felt too weak to fight back and thought that she might die. She told the officer that at one point, Doyle stopped the car and pushed her out and that she had lost her clothing while she was trying to get away from him.

She said that she is scared that Doyle may try to kill her because this is not the first time he has strangled her. She also told the officer that Doyle has weapons, is violent, and often sends her threatening messages.

Officer made contact with Doyle and took him into custody. He was charged with felony strangulation of a partner or family member and partner or family member assault.