A South Salt Lake man is suspected of following his ex-wife to her office, ramming her vehicle and then trying to strangle her before chasing her inside despite the intervention of several co-workers and guards.

The 29-year-old woman saw the man, 35, following in a pickup as she drove to work Tuesday morning, said West Valley City police Capt. Tom McLachlan. She pulled up next to her office at Discover Financial Services, 2500 S. Lake Park Blvd. (4085 West), where the man rammed her SUV, spinning it around, McLachlan said.

The woman tried to run to the office, but her ex-husband attacked her outside and tried to strangle her, McLachlan said.

Witnesses helped her escape, McLachlan said, but the man then followed her inside and continued attacking her.

Guards detained the man, who was arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide, aggravated burglary, violating a protective order, stalking and driving under the influence.

In a previous assault, the man beat the woman so severely she required reconstructive surgery, McLachlan said. He is awaiting trial on previous domestic-violence charges.

"If he is out among the public, free, she's in mortal danger," McLachlan said.

Erin Alberty