BAY CITY, MI — In a case that has shocked the community with its brutality and sheer recklessness, a Bay County man has been sentenced to 13 to 20 years in prison for the attempted murder of his ex-wife and a subsequent violent crash into an Uptown Bay City townhouse.

On Thursday, Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran handed down the lengthy sentence to 42-year-old Gregg I. Atwood, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges stemming from a horrific sequence of events that nearly claimed a woman’s life. The judge opted to go above the advisory sentencing guidelines, citing the severity and senselessness of the crime—a move that was welcomed by the survivor and her supporters.

The attack took place in the parking lot of an Auburn gas station, where Atwood confronted his ex-wife in broad daylight. Without provocation, he stabbed her repeatedly in a vicious assault that witnesses described as “frenzied” and “terrifying.” According to police and court documents, Atwood used a large knife to stab the woman multiple times in the neck, chest, and abdomen before fleeing the scene in his pickup truck.

While the victim fought for her life, emergency services responded quickly, transporting her to a nearby hospital where she underwent life-saving surgery. Medical professionals later testified that if help had arrived minutes later, she likely would not have survived.

But Atwood’s rampage did not end there. In an apparent suicide attempt or further act of chaos, he drove his vehicle into a residential townhouse in Bay City’s Uptown district. The crash caused significant damage to the property, though fortunately, no residents were injured. Investigators later found signs that Atwood had intentionally aimed for the building, accelerating before impact.

In court, the prosecution emphasized the deliberate and malicious nature of Atwood’s actions, characterizing the attack as premeditated and the crash as an extension of his violent intent. Assistant Prosecutor Richard Henningsen noted that the attack was not only an attempt to murder but also an act designed to instill terror in both the victim and the broader community.

During the emotional sentencing hearing, the victim—who has chosen not to be named publicly—addressed the court. She spoke of the physical pain and trauma she continues to endure, but also of her determination to reclaim her life.

“I look in the mirror every day and see scars that remind me of what he tried to take away,” she said. “But I’m still here. And I won’t let him break me.”

Judge Sheeran echoed the gravity of the crime in his sentencing remarks, stating, “This was not a heat-of-the-moment decision. This was a violent, calculated attack that nearly resulted in a death. The court has a duty to protect not just the victim but the community from individuals who commit such heinous acts.”

Atwood was given credit for the 815 days he had already spent in jail since his arrest in early 2022. His attorney had requested leniency, citing mental health concerns and emotional instability in the wake of his divorce. However, Judge Sheeran was unmoved, asserting that mental health struggles do not excuse attempted murder.

In the wake of the sentencing, community members and advocacy groups for domestic violence survivors expressed relief that justice had been served. The case has sparked renewed conversation about domestic violence and the importance of early intervention before situations escalate to life-threatening extremes.

The victim, though still in recovery, has since relocated and is focused on healing and rebuilding her life. Her strength and courage in the face of trauma have been widely commended, serving as a poignant reminder of the resilience of survivors.

Gregg I. Atwood will now serve his sentence in a state correctional facility, where he will remain under close supervision. He will be eligible for parole after 13 years, though any release will be subject to strict conditions and the approval of the Michigan Department of Corrections.

The case leaves behind a scarred but determined survivor, a community shaken yet standing strong, and a cautionary tale about the devastating consequences of unchecked rage and domestic violence.