MANATEE -- A man was arrested in Palmetto and charged with domestic battery after a witness told police he saw the suspect repeatedly strike a victim while driving.

On March 11 at approximately 12:20 a.m., a witness called 911 to report he was following a black Toyota convertible north on Interstate 75 inside which the male driver was repeatedly striking a female in the backseat, according to a report.

The witness followed the suspect north on I-75 from Clark Road until the suspect vehicle exited I-75 in Ellenton, the report states.

During that stretch of highway, the suspect struck the victim 15 to 20 times, the witness told police,

The witness followed the suspect vehicle to 1101 8th Ave. W., a Publix Supermarket in Palmetto, at which time the Palmetto Police Department arrived on the scene, the report states.

The victim, whose face had red marks on it, completed a sworn affidavit that the suspect had hit her, according to the report.

The witness also completed a sworn affidavit.

The suspect, whose name was not released in this preliminary report, was taken to the Manatee County jail.

The report concludes by stating the victim and defendant are boyfriend and girlfriend.