BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

LOVELY — A Martin County man trying to give a woman safe harbor nearly lost his life Friday morning in a brutal stabbing by her ex-boyfriend on Riverfront Road.

Martin County Sheriff John Kirk said when officers arrived at the residence near the Martin and Pike County line, neighbors had already taken David Collins to the hospital.

“They couldn’t wait on an ambulance,” Kirk said. “They were afraid that he was going to die.”

Officers interviewed Misty Runyon, 43, of Williamson, at the scene.

Runyon came to Collins’ home seeking refuge from her ex-boyfriend, James Crabtree, 24, of Williamson.

“Crabtree had already been accused of shooting a guy in Pike County last month, according to her, under similar circumstances where he had gone there looking for her,” said Kirk. “The state police advised her to stay hidden until they could get him picked up. So she came to Martin County seeking refuge, and Collins let her stay there until she could try to find a place to stay.”