A southern Oregon man is accused of trying to kill his roommate with a hatchet in their home, authorities say.

Keith J. Lindley-Heller, 27, was arrested Friday after hitting 60-year-old Shirley Sarfaty several times in the head at their home in the 1400 block of Rockydale Road in Cave Junction, according to Oregon State Police.

Lindley-Heller came home drunk and got into an argument with Sarfaty before the attack, police said. At one point, he threatened to kill her, grabbed a hatchet from his room and hit her, police said.

Sarfaty was taken to a hospital for treatment and is expected to survive, said Sgt. Jeff Proulx, a state police spokesman. He said Lindley-Heller was also the woman's caretaker.

Lindley-Heller is accused of attempted murder, first-degree assault and first-degree criminal mistreatment.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey