Price man arrested after alleged assault at campground

VERNAL – Authorities arrested a Price man after he allegedly assaulted two people – one with a rock, the other with a propane lantern – at Steinaker State Park.

Uintah County Sheriff's Cpl. Brian Fletcher said deputies were called to a fight in progress at the park campground on Sunday at 1:30 a.m. When they arrived, deputies learned that two intoxicated individuals had been asked to leave the campground, Fletcher said, adding that the men had refused to do so.

Fletcher said when the 28-year-old Price man was confronted by another camper about his behavior, he allegedly picked up a rock and threw it at a 25-year-old Colorado man. The rock struck the man in the throat, causing internal injuries, Fletcher said.

The Price man, who was carrying a metal and glass propane lantern, then allegedly swung the lantern at a 39-year-old Wyoming man. Fletcher said the lantern struck the man in the side of the head, causing a severe laceration above the man's eye and partially severing his left ear.

"The force of the blow caused the lantern to shatter when it struck the man's head," Fletcher said.

Both of the victims were taken to Ashley Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The Price man had left the campground before deputies arrived, but was later located and arrested. He was booked into the Uintah County Jail for investigation of two counts of aggravated assault and intoxication.

— Geoff Liesik