A Washington state teenager is dead after he allegedly agreed to be punched in the face to settle a dispute over a minor car crash, Snohomish County sheriffs said.
Jarom Thomas, 18, died Sunday at a hospital in Everett following the punch that knocked him to the ground outside a house party at a lakefront cabin, The Seattle Times reported. Another 18-year-old, Michael Shane Galen, was arrested and held on suspicion of second-degree manslaughter for punching Thomas.
Snohomish County court documents say the dispute began when Thomas backed his Honda into a vehicle parked outside a cabin near Lake Roesiger shortly after midnight on Sunday. Galen was sitting in the parked car, The Seattle Times reported.
Thomas initially drove away but returned a few minutes later, according to court records. Galen confronted Thomas and the teens shoved each other but ended up agreeing to "resolve their differences" by having Galen punch the victim in the face.
Galen and Thomas, who reportedly knew each other for years, "shook hands pertaining to their agreement, and then smoked a cigarette together," according to the documents obtained by the newspaper.
The two finished smoking and Galen punched Thomas, knocking him backwards onto the concrete and rendering him unconscious. His fall was followed by a "cracking noise," witnesses at the party said. Galen and party guests brought Thomas into the cabin where their attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.
A friend transported Thomas to the hospital but he later died from his injuries.
"Our sincerest condolences go to Jarom's family and friends," Granite Falls School District, where both teens attended a local high school, said in a statement. "Please join us in sending the family support and encouragement during this difficult time."
As of Monday Galen was held on $10,000 bail at the Snohomish County Jail.
