Hastings: Fight leaves 1 man in hospital, another in jail

James Nathan Phenix

An alcohol-fueled fight at a Perkins Restaurant and Bakery in Hastings early Friday left one man in critical condition and another man in the Dakota County Jail.

The men, both from West Plains, Mo., are acquaintances and have been working on a construction project at the Flint Hills Resources oil refinery in Rosemount, said Bryan Schafer, Hastings police chief.

Officers were called to the restaurant at 1206 Vermillion St. just after 3 a.m. in response to a report of a disturbance. They found a 31-year-old man lying unresponsive on the ground outside.

Police and paramedics provided first aid, and the victim was transported to United Hospital in St. Paul, where he was listed in critical condition Friday afternoon, Schafer said.

The men stopped at the restaurant after a night of drinking, he said. They began to argue, and a manager told the men to leave. "It spilled outside, and punches were thrown," Schafer said.

It was unclear Friday what spurred the argument, he said.

"It sounds like it was just silliness, just drunken bantering going back and forth, and all of a sudden it was violent," he said. "It's unfortunate."

The suspect, 27-year-old James Nathan Phenix, was arrested at the scene. He was booked into Dakota County Jail on suspicion of third-degree assault.

The case will be presented to the Dakota County attorney's office for review.

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Hastings: Fight leaves 1 man in hospital, another in jail