A Peabody man accused of strangling a woman and attacking local police officers near the Salem Home Depot Saturday night is expected to be arraigned on an attempted murder charge this morning.

Dana K. Turgeon, 42, of 573 Lowell St., Peabody, was arrested on charges of assault and battery, attempted murder, intimidating a witness, kidnapping, two counts of assault and battery on a police officer, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, resisting arrest and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

At 7:43 p.m., police received word that a motor vehicle was driving erratically on Highland Avenue and another motorist noticed a female passenger who appeared to be in distress.

Responding officers reportedly located the suspect vehicle near the entrance to the Home Depot parking lot on Traders Way and witnessed Turgeon choking a woman in the front seat.

"He had both hands around the woman's neck and when an officer went in after him to make him stop he turned on the officer and started fighting him," Sgt. Frederick Ryan said Sunday night.

The fight between police officers and Turgeon went on for several minutes and officers were forced to use pepper spray to bring him down, Ryan said.

The officers involved in the fight reportedly suffered cuts and scrapes during the struggle and later determined that Turgeon had been driving drunk before his arrest.

Turgeon is expected to be arraigned in Salem District Court this morning.

Salem Patch will post additional information as it becomes available.