Police say man required stitches

ELYRIA — An argument over which vehicle could be used to drive a girl to school ended with one man suffering a serious cut to his lip and another facing a felony domestic violence charge, according to police.

Joseph Newbrough Jr., 57, of Elyria, was arrested on charges of fourth-degree felony domestic violence and first-degree misdemeanor assault following the incident at about 8:22 a.m. Aug. 27 in the 700 block of Bond Street.

Officers arrived and found the injured man standing in the front yard with blood on his shirt, arms and legs, according to an Elyria Police Department report.

Police said the argument involved whether a newer Jeep or an older van should be used to drive the girl to school. Newbrough and the other man exchanged insults before the confrontation became physical.

The injured man told police Newbrough approached him angrily and punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground. He said he kicked Newbrough in the groin in self-defense before Newbrough struck him again.

A witness gave a different account of how the physical confrontation began. She told police the injured man may have kicked Newbrough before Newbrough punched him.

Newbrough also told police the other man raised his middle finger toward him and then pushed or punched him in the stomach. Newbrough acknowledged punching the man in the face and striking him again after being kicked, according to the report.

The man suffered a significant cut to his lip that required stitches. LifeCare transported him to University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center.

Police said the accounts differed over who made the first physical contact. Investigators identified Newbrough as the primary aggressor because they said he approached the other man aggressively and caused the more serious injuries.

Newbrough left before officers arrived and drove his daughter to school in Westlake. Westlake police took him into custody at the request of Elyria officers.

Newbrough was initially held without bond pending his first court appearance. Jail records now list a $25,000 cash-or-surety bond and indicate it was posted Aug. 28, although no release date is listed.

His next hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Aug. 31 in Elyria Municipal Court.

The charges are allegations. Newbrough is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.