Lake Park man, James Barnett, accused of assaulting girlfriend and crashing her car

A Lake Park man was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly crashed his girlfriend’s car into a tree as he slammed her head against the passenger’s side window.

James Barnett, 34, is being held at the Palm Beach County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail. He is facing charges of battery, leaving the scene of a crash involving damage to property and possession of paraphernalia.

According to the arrest report, North Palm Beach Police officers were dispatched to the 900 block of Lighthouse Drive on Wednesday at 10:13 p.m. to reports of a crash. Responding officers first met with Barnett’s girlfriend, who said the two were arguing inside the car when Barnett started to slam her head against the passenger side window, according to the arrest report.

The woman went on to say that as he was reaching over to slam her head, he lost control of the car and crashed into a tree, the report said. He then got out of the car and left the scene.

Barnett was found walking westbound on Lighthouse Drive. He denied slamming his girlfriend’s head against the window, while adding that he was not the driver of the car during the crash, according to the report.

Barnett’s girlfriend complained of head pain, but refused medical treatment, the report said. During his first appearance hearing this morning, the assistant state attorney said that it “does appear (Barnett) was impaired by alcohol and, or narcotics” at the time of the crash.