Upper Darby officer saves stomping victim
If not for the quick action of an Upper Darby police officer, a man who was stomped unconscious during a fight outside a bar early Saturday might not have survived, police said today.
Officer John News was pulling out of the Upper Darby police station at 2:19 a.m. when he saw the fight outside Sean Og Irish Pub directly across the street.
A group of men and one woman were stomping on the victim. Michael J. Chitwood, superintendent of police, said an altercation in the bar had moved into the street.
A surveillance video obtained from a nearby business showed in detail one man continuing to stomp on the head of the unconscious victim. News pulled the assailant off the man.
Police have charged Rhashad Carlton, 25, and his mother, Bonita Carlton, 45 - both of the 7100 block of West Chester Pike - with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct.
Chitwood said that after viewing the video, which police received today, he plans to upgrade the charges on Rhashad Carlton to include attempted murder.
Police are not releasing the victim's name. Chitwood said he was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. There, he was treated for blood on the brain, and fractures to the bones in his neck and face. The victim has since been released, police said.
"He is lucky to be alive," Chitwood said.
Contact staff writer Mari A. Schaefer at 610-892-9149 or mschaefer@phillynews.com.
