By BRIAN WALKER

Staff writer

POST FALLS — A 53-year-old Post Falls man was arrested on Sunday night for allegedly beating his live-in girlfriend.

William F. Gardner III was arrested without incident at 2595 N. Bradley Dr. in the Crestview Estates and booked into Kootenai County Jail for felony aggravated battery.

The 46-year-old female was transported to Kootenai Medical Center with several head injuries appeared to have been caused by blunt force trauma.

Post Falls Chief Scot Haug said she remained in critical condition at the hospital on Monday afternoon.

Gardner was being held on a $500,000 bond on Monday.

Haug declined to say if a weapon was recovered at the home. The North Idaho Violent Crimes Task Force was still investigating the scene on Monday.

A neighbor reported to police at 7:54 p.m. hearing what sounded like a violent physical dispute and seeing two flashes of light come from the home. Gunfire causes flashes of light, but Haug declined to say whether a gun was recovered.

"Her injuries were not caused by gunfire," he said.

When officers responded, they saw blood on the side of a trailer at the home and contacted Gardner at the front door.

"Officers noticed a female laying inside the trailer in the hallway who appeared to have been beaten," Haug said. "She was bleeding severely and unconscious."

Haug said the victim was semi-conscious on Monday afternoon.

Gardner, who did not appear to be injured and had blood on him, has an extensive criminal history, including for domestic battery, drugs, DUI, parole violation and stalking.

Haug said both Gardner and the victim had been drinking.

It appears that there was an altercation outside as a vehicle had broken glass, Haug said. No one else was at the home at the time of the arrest.

Haug said it's unclear if anyone saw the altercation, but multiple people heard it.

Crestview Estates is at the northwest corner of Spokane Street and Poleline Avenue.