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Man flown to Denver from bar fight

Christine Metz

A fight that broke out in a downtown bar Sunday morning sent one man to a Denver hospital in critical condition and another to jail.

Dan Whitehead, 48, of Steamboat Springs, was flown to the Denver Health Medical Center early Sunday morning with serious head injuries sustained in the fight. Whitehead remains in serious condition at the hospital.

Adam Heinke, 24, of Steamboat Springs, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault and disorderly conduct. He remains at the Routt County Jail, and bond has not been set.



Steamboat Springs police Sgt. Nick Bosick said the fight broke out a little after 12:30 a.m. Sunday in Sabre’s Comedy Den, 703 Lincoln Ave.

The fight allegedly started when Whitehead slapped Heinke, and Heinke slapped him back. Whitehead then punched Heinke, who punched Whitehead back, and the punch sent Whitehead to the ground, Bosick said. Witnesses said that during the fall, Whitehead hit his head on a pillar in the bar and then hit the hard floor, Bosick said.



One witness said that Heinke continued to kick Whitehead after he fell, Bosick said.

Whitehead was unconscious and breathing when police arrived. The man was taken by ambulance to Yampa Valley Medical Center and then was flown to Denver. Whitehead suffered internal head injuries as well as bruising and swelling on his face.

Heinke suffered from a black eye, Bosick said.

Police said they plan to charge Whitehead with third-degree assault and possession of a schedule II substance because of cocaine police found in his pocket, Bosick said.

The two men knew each other before Saturday night, Bosick said. It was not clear why they started fighting.

About seven people were in the bar when the fight occurred, Bosick said, and both men reportedly had been drinking that night.

— To reach Christine Metz call 871-4229

or e-mail cmetz@steamboatpilot.com


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