PORTERVILLE, Calif. - A Bakersfield man has been charged with attempted murder after police said he stabbed his girlfriend in the face.

The man, identified by police detectives as Juan Trejo, 22, and his girlfriend were in Porterville on Tuesday night attending a church function.  The couple had pulled over their car in the parking lot of a Lowe's store in the 500 block of West Vandalia Avenue and were arguing when he attacked her with a kitchen knife.

He began stabbing her in the face, breaking the blade in the process, according to detectives.

The victim, who was driving a car, drove into a flower bed and they both got out of the car.

Trejo continued assaulting and choking the victim; but an ambulance crew parked in the same lot saw the assault and rushed over to help, authorities said.

A paramedic held Trejo until police arrived.

The paramedics took the victim to Sierra View District Hospital for treatment for stab wounds to her face, along with multiple cuts and bruises.  She was later released.

Trejo has been booked into Tulare County Jail on charges of attempted murder and domestic violence.