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Johnnie Faye Cartwright has pleaded not guilty to six charges—including DUI and reckless endangerment—after a high-risk incident involving her three children and fiancé Zachery Ty Bryan on Nov. 29. A judge has now issued a domestic-violence-related no contact order as Bryan remains jailed for a probation-violating assault charge. The case is escalating quickly with major legal consequences ahead.
Zachery Ty Bryan’s latest mugshot alongside a recent family photo with fiancée Johnnie Faye Cartwright and their child, highlighting the contrast between his public image and ongoing legal troubles.
The spiralling legal troubles surrounding Home Improvement actor Zachery Ty Bryan intensified this week as his fiancée, Johnnie Faye Cartwright, stood before an Oregon judge just 48 hours after their simultaneous arrests.
The 32-year-old mother of three pleaded not guilty on Dec. 1 to a series of misdemeanor charges, including driving under the influence and recklessly endangering another person, following what deputies describe as a dangerous confrontation along Big Fall Creek Road near Lowell on Nov. 29.
Authorities allege Cartwright crashed a pickup truck carrying the couple’s three young children after attempting to strike Bryan, who had stepped out of the vehicle moments earlier. Deputies say both adults showed signs of impairment, raising immediate concerns not only about criminal liability but the ongoing safety of the children caught in the middle of their volatile relationship.
What makes this moment even more consequential is the history behind it: Bryan, 44, was already under a court order prohibiting contact with Cartwright due to a previous domestic violence case. His arrest for fourth-degree assault triggered an instant probation violation, leaving him jailed without bail. The legal stakes now stretch far beyond a single incident—this is a turning point that could reshape custody, sentencing, and the couple's future.
Deputies responded around 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 29 to reports of reckless endangering near a popular campground outside Lowell, Oregon. Investigators learned Bryan had exited the couple’s truck and was walking along the road when Cartwright allegedly attempted to run him over, ultimately crashing into a ditch with their three young children still inside. No injuries were reported.
The sheriff’s office stated that both adults showed signs of impairment, and witnesses were interviewed on scene. Crucially, Bryan was not permitted to be near Cartwright due to an existing no contact order tied to a prior domestic violence case. This turned his arrest into an immediate probation violation.
Cartwright was initially booked on a felony attempted assault charge, later cleared at arraignment, leaving six misdemeanor charges in place. Bryan remains held without bail until at least Dec. 3.
This case blends criminal law, domestic violence protections, probation enforcement, and child endangerment statutes. Cartwright’s charges—DUI, reckless driving, and reckless endangerment—require prosecutors to show that her conduct and impairment posed a real risk to others, especially with children present.
The no contact order issued Monday underscores judicial concern about the volatility between the parties. These orders are a standard protective measure when domestic violence history and potential ongoing risk overlap.
For Bryan, the legal jeopardy is anchored in probation rules. When someone on supervised probation makes prohibited contact or is implicated in new criminal conduct, courts must determine whether they violated conditions knowingly and whether that violation endangers others. Violations can result in immediate custody and re-sentencing based on the original conviction.
Upcoming steps include evidentiary review, pretrial scheduling, and probation violation hearings that will shape the trajectory of both cases.
Bryan could face jail time if the court finds a serious probation violation. Cartwright’s misdemeanor charges can also carry jail sentences, though outcomes often include probation or treatment requirements for first-time offenders.
Cartwright faces six misdemeanor counts: DUI, two counts of reckless endangerment, and three counts of reckless driving. Bryan faces fourth-degree assault tied directly to his probation status.
Deputies reported impairment indicators, a crash scene, and witness accounts. The strength of the case will depend on toxicology results and evidence confirmed during discovery.
Dismissal is unlikely without evidentiary issues or negotiated plea agreements. There is no indication prosecutors intend to drop the charges at this stage.
Misdemeanor DUI and endangerment cases typically unfold over several months. Probation violation proceedings move faster, meaning Bryan may face a judicial decision sooner.
This case illustrates how domestic violence protection orders work—and how seriously courts treat violations. Even consensual or accidental contact can trigger major legal consequences when a protective order is in place. It also shows how DUI and reckless endangerment charges become significantly more severe when children are present, as child safety is a central legal priority.
The incident also highlights how separate legal issues—probation, impairment, family safety—interlock in real time, resulting in swift judicial intervention.
Best-case scenario:
Cartwright completes treatment and probation programs while maintaining custody arrangements supervised by the court. Bryan resolves the violation with limited sanctions and enhanced monitoring.
Worst-case scenario:
Courts impose jail time for Cartwright, while Bryan faces a substantial re-sentencing on his underlying domestic violence conviction, alongside stricter long-term protective measures.
Most common outcome in similar cases:
Structured probation, mandated counselling, continued protective orders, restrictions on contact, and supervised parenting plans to ensure safety and minimise risk.
Are the children safe, and where are they now?
Deputies confirmed the children were placed with a family member immediately after the incident. Long-term arrangements will be addressed later by the court.
Is this related to Bryan’s previous domestic violence cases?
Yes. Bryan’s arrest violated an existing no contact order stemming from an earlier domestic violence case, intensifying his legal exposure.
Did anyone get hurt in the crash?
Deputies reported that no physical injuries occurred, including to the children inside the truck.
Could either of them regain contact soon?
Only if a judge modifies or lifts the protective order. For now, the no contact order remains in effect.
This case has become a high-stakes intersection of DUI law, domestic violence protections, and strict probation enforcement. With Cartwright facing six active charges and a court-ordered separation, and Bryan detained for violating an existing domestic violence probation order, both now sit in legally precarious positions. The next hearings will determine whether either party faces heightened penalties, modified custody arrangements, or extended supervision. The stakes—for their freedom, their children, and their long-term legal futures—remain significant.
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