Former Home Improvement actor Zachery Ty Bryan and his fiancée, Johnnie Faye Cartwright, were taken into custody over the weekend following a domestic dispute where Cartwright allegedly attempted to strike the actor with a vehicle, according to local law enforcement. The incident, which occurred near a camping area outside Lowell, Oregon, saw the couple’s three young children in the vehicle at the time.
The arrests mark the latest legal turbulence for Bryan, 44, known for his role as Brad Taylor on the popular 1990s sitcom. Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of reckless endangering on Saturday, November 29, 2025. Upon arrival, officials interviewed the parties and witnesses on the scene.
Details from the sheriff’s office indicate that the confrontation began when Bryan exited the couple’s pickup truck and started walking along the road. It was at this point that Cartwright allegedly attempted to run him over. The vehicle, which had the couple’s young children inside, subsequently careened into a ditch. Fortunately, Bryan was able to move out of the way and avoid injury, and the children were unharmed in the crash.
Following their investigation, deputies noted signs of impairment in both adults. A statement from law enforcement revealed a critical factor in the simultaneous arrests: “Deputies observed signs both were impaired.” This observation led to further scrutiny of the pair’s circumstances.
Cartwright, 32, was booked on serious charges, including driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII), three counts of reckless endangering—one for each child present—and attempted first-degree assault, a felony charge that was later cleared or modified at her arraignment. She has since entered a plea of not guilty to the total counts she faces.
Zachery Ty Bryan’s arrest was triggered by his violation of an existing judicial mandate. Authorities confirmed that “Per a court order from a prior case, Bryan was not supposed to be in contact with Cartwright.” The contact was prohibited due to a previous domestic violence conviction. His presence with Cartwright immediately constituted a probation violation. Bryan is currently being held without bail, with a scheduled release date of December 3, while Cartwright remains in custody.
The couple’s relationship has been extensively documented in court records. Bryan is currently serving a three-year supervised probation sentence stemming from a 2023 felony assault conviction, which itself followed previous arrests for domestic violence and DUI. This marks Bryan’s sixth arrest in five years.
The legal fallout has been immediate. During her arraignment on Monday, a judge issued a domestic violence-related no-contact order against Bryan, emphasizing the court’s concern over the volatile situation. Meanwhile, the children involved in the incident were placed with a family member following the arrests of both parents. This ongoing case blends complex issues of criminal law, domestic violence protection, and child endangerment statutes, ensuring continued public and legal scrutiny.
