A 51-year-old Selma man has been charged with murder in the death of a 29-year-old woman found on the side of the road.

The Selma Police Department Major Crimes Unit arrested James Herrod Thursday at approximately 11:30 p.m.

The arrest follows a four-day investigation into the death of Crystal Johnson, who was found unconscious Monday afternoon on the side of County Road 74 near Old Montgomery Highway. She was pronounced dead later that same day at Vaughan Regional Medical Center.

A preliminary autopsy revealed Johnson died from blunt force trauma to the head and body. Police now believe Johnson was struck by Herrod’s truck.

“We don’t know how she ended up out of the vehicle, if she jumped out or if she was pushed out, if she was struck by or ran over,” said Lt. Curtis Muhannad.

Selma detectives received tips that Johnson was seen around Selma with a tall, slender and older man in a late model brown Ford pickup truck, Muhannad said. Police are still investigation the relationship between Herrod and Johnson.

Through witnesses and video surveillance footage, the Major Crimes Unit was able to identify Herrod and the truck.

Muhannad said the department attempted to contact Herrod at his residence on Dallas County 27, but his wife told police that he had fled to a mental hospital in Tuscaloosa on Monday.

The pickup was recovered from the home and placed into police impound. Detectives contacted the hospital to confirm Herrod’s admission and notified local police to detain him.

Selma officers obtained a warrant for his arrest and transported him back to Selma, where he was interviewed, booked and taken to the Dallas County Jail.

Herrod is being held in the Dallas County Jail on a $1 million bond.

Murder is a Class A felony. If convicted, Herrod faces 10 years to life in prison and fines up to $60,000.