A Citrus County man faces a murder charge after deputies said he fatally stabbed his ex-girlfriend with a sword Sunday night before running her over in his pickup and crashing into a tree.

Eric Huffman, 41, of Hernando faces a charge of premeditated murder and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after confessing to the death of Brandi Blevins, 42, deputies said.

Deputies, responding to a call of a woman being stabbed at a home on E Benjamin Street just before 10:30 p.m., found Blevins' body in the front yard.

Deputies say Blevins suffered deep cuts to her legs, thighs and torso, and also had a large wound on the back of her head.

A witness who was staying at the home told deputies that Huffman had run away, prompting deputies to warn nearby residents to remain in their homes.

During a search, a neighbor told deputies a man was on her back pool deck, and a short time later, Huffman was taken into custody.

Huffman confessed to the stabbing during an interview with detectives, according to the Citrus County Sheriff's Office.

Huffman, who has previous arrests on charges including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and resisting law enforcement, is being held without bail.