By By Arthur Weinreb Jan 4, 2016 in Crime Winnipeg - While using a vehicle as a weapon is not unusual, police in Winnipeg, Manitoba say a man deliberately drove into a semi-trailer in an attempt to kill his common-law partner. While driving, police say the man repeatedly threatened and assaulted the victim, striking her several times in the upper body. He then deliberately drove into a semi-trailer, slamming the passenger side of his car into the parked vehicle. The driver was able to escape on foot while the woman was trapped inside the crashed car. First responders had to use the The woman was taken to hospital and was in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. Police say had she not been wearing a seat belt, the result would have been much worse. The man was arrested later that day at a residence around 11:40 p.m. Christopher Rutherford, 31, has been At the time of the incident, Rutherford was bound by a court order not to have any contact with his girlfriend. He is also facing five counts of breach of a recognizance as well as dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. Winnipeg police spokesman, Const. Jason Michalysen, said that while police do not normally release information in domestic violence cases they did so in this case because of it's extreme nature. Rutherford remains in custody. According to the Winnipeg Police Service, a man was with his common-law wife at the Nectar Nightclub in downtown Winnipeg on New Year's Eve. Around 2 a.m., the couple went outside and began arguing. It is then alleged the man forced the 21-year-old woman into his car and drove off at a high speed.While driving, police say the man repeatedly threatened and assaulted the victim, striking her several times in the upper body. He then deliberately drove into a semi-trailer, slamming the passenger side of his car into the parked vehicle.The driver was able to escape on foot while the woman was trapped inside the crashed car. First responders had to use the Jaws of Life in order to pry the woman from the heavily damaged passenger side of the vehicle.The woman was taken to hospital and was in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. Police say had she not been wearing a seat belt, the result would have been much worse.The man was arrested later that day at a residence around 11:40 p.m. Christopher Rutherford, 31, has been charged with attempted murder, two counts of assault causing bodily harm, overcoming resistance by choking, forcible confinement, kidnapping and two counts of uttering threats.At the time of the incident, Rutherford was bound by a court order not to have any contact with his girlfriend. He is also facing five counts of breach of a recognizance as well as dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.Winnipeg police spokesman, Const. Jason Michalysen, said that while police do not normally release information in domestic violence cases they did so in this case because of it's extreme nature. He said , "We want members of the public to have conversations about being involved in healthy, positive relationships. Based upon our investigation, this clearly was not one of those healthy relationships."Rutherford remains in custody. More about christopher rutherford, Winnipeg police, using car as a weapon, protection order, Domestic violence More news from christopher rutherfo... Winnipeg police using car as a weapo... protection order Domestic violence