BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – One man was hospitalized in serious condition with multiple facial lacerations after a violent altercation outside Calacino’s on Robert C. Byrd Drive late Friday night, according to law enforcement.
The altercation occurred in a parking lot outside the Beckley restaurant after a physical confrontation between two men escalated into violence. According to accounts from the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office, a woman witness advised officers that Chase Patterson struck Lukas Stephens in the face before fleeing the scene in a white SUV.
Upon their arrival, the officers noted that Stephens had indeed sustained multiple injuries to his face: his face was swollen and bruised, his right eye was swollen shut, and he was bleeding from both his nose and mouth. In due course, emergency medical services arrived and provided aid. Eventually, Stephens was also taken to a nearby hospital for further care.
A witness said she, Stephens, and other friends had been celebrating Stephens’ bachelor party and had left a crowded bar when Patterson approached them, demanding a fight. According to her, Patterson held a grudge against Stephens from some previous incident. Stephens tried to defuse the situation, but Patterson “kept coming, kept shoving,” and finally threw a punch, which struck Stephens in the face, according to the witness
Other witnesses verified her account. Another witness had video up until the punch; however, the actual punch was not captured on tape. On the video, Patterson can be seen trying to grab Stephens from behind while a witness gets in between them and tries to get Patterson to leave Stephens alone.
Sheriff’s deputies identified Patterson, of Meadow Bridge, Fayette County, with the assistance of DMV records. Comparisons between his driver’s license photo and that footage confirmed that he was, in fact, the suspected attacker.
Stephens was later taken to another hospital, where he was diagnosed with a broken eye socket, and will undergo surgery.
Patterson was arrested and charged with malicious wounding.
