Jersey City man accused of knocking outside Bayonne bar, causing brain damage

A Jersey City man who left a man with a broken jaw unconscious 18 months ago struck again, knocking a man unconscious and causing a brain hemorrhage, Bayonne police said.

Erick Vargas, 30, was arrested Oct. 28 and charged with aggravated assault after attacking Bayonne Detective Sgt. outside a bar at East 32nd Street and Avenue E. William Dundas said.

The two had a brief verbal and confrontational argument inside the bar and met outside after the bar closed.

Police said Vargas punched the victim, causing his head to hit the ground and causing a ganglion hemorrhage on the left side of his brain.

Vargas is also being processed on an outstanding warrant for an aggravated assault that occurred on March 17, 2023, at a bar at 19th Street and Kennedy Boulevard in Bayonne, Dundas said.

During this incident, Vargas and another man attacked a victim who was trying to buy cigarettes. Witnesses told police Vargas blocked the victim’s access to the retail section of the bar and asked the victim, “Do you have a problem?” He said he asked.

The victim did not understand Vargas because he spoke only Spanish. When the situation escalated, Vargas punched the victim in the face, knocking him unconscious and breaking his jaw, Dundas said.

Vargas was both processed and transported to the Hudson County jail. There was no update on the condition of the victim in the October 28 attack.