DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A man fatally punched another man during a fight about beer at a Popeye's near International Speedway Boulevard Friday evening, according to the Daytona Beach Police Department.
James Allen, 34, was arguing with John Roughton, 55, shortly before 6 p.m. and Allen punched him in the face, which caused Roughton to fall and bounce his head on the pavement, the incident report said.
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When police arrived, they said Roughton was unconscious on the ground with a laceration on the back of his head and Allen had left the Ridgewood Avenue restaurant.
Patrol units later arrested Allen on Magnolia Avenue and he admitted that he punched Roughton because they were fighting over beer, according to a news release. The exact details of the argument were not provided.
Roughton was taken to Halifax Hospital, where he underwent a craniectomy that night to relieve pressure caused by the swelling in his brain. His family elected to terminate life support Sunday because he was in a vegetative state, the report said.
Police said Roughton died Tuesday afternoon as a result of the injuries he suffered from Allen's punch.
Allen was initially charged with aggravated battery but the charge was upgraded Tuesday after Roughton's death. He's being held at the Volusia County Jail with no bond.