A Butler man beat his mother and tried to strangle her when she refused to go to a party with him, state police said yesterday.

Walter Scott Kradel, 25, shoved his mother's face into a car, then forced her inside and beat her during a two-hour drive, authorities charged. When she jumped out and called police, he allegedly tried to run her down.

Mr. Kradel was charged with kidnapping, simple assault and related crimes after the altercation Saturday afternoon in Center Township.

Mr. Kradel was in Butler County Prison on $45,000 bond.