Small Town News

Probable assault lands man in hospital

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Police are investigating a suspected assault that occurred early Saturday morning in the alley behind H & H Grocery in Electric City.

David Johnson, 47, an Electric City resident, sustained serious injuries and ended up in Sacred Hearth Medical Center in Spokane before the incident was reported to police here.

Police report that two men took Johnson to Coulee Medical Center after he had spent a night drinking, first at a friend's house and then at Electric City Bar and

Grill. The local hospital gave Johnson emergency treatment and sent him by air to Spokane with serious injuries to his head, scratches and abrasions.

Late Tuesday morning a spokes-person at Sacred Heart said Johnson was stable, but still couldn't remember anything that had happened after he left the bar that night.

A man told police he had found Johnson lying in the alley in a pool of blood at about 1:30 a.m., Saturday, and called a friend to help take him to the hospital.

The incident wasn't reported to police for several hours after it occurred.

Police said Johnson is an employee of Coulee Medical Center.

Medical professonals there told police that his injuries were more consistent with an assault than a fall.

Johnson had suffered serious injuries to both sides of his head and his brain had started to swell. He had a cut over his right eye and a possible fracture under his left eye socket, and he had a large lump onthe right side of his head causing some internal bleeding.

Sacred Heart personnel believed Johnson had several skull fractures and was bleeding inside his head. A trauma surgeon had remarked on the chart, "obvious signs of an assault."

The injuries "could have been life threatening if left unattended, " Sacred Heart told police.

Johnson woke up about 3 p;m. Saturday, a good 13 hours after he was found in the alley.

Officer Gary Moore traveled to Spokane to interview Johnson, but the victim was hazy and said he couldn't remember anything between the time he left the bar and woke up in Spokane.

The police report noted that there were no reports of a serious altercation involving Johnson at the bar that evening.

Grand Coulee Sgt. John Tufts said police were in the process of interviewing those who were at the bar that night, trying to develop a lead that would help them understand what happened



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© 2011 The Star Grand Coulee, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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