Police: Highland Man Dies After Bar Fight; Fenton Man Arrested on Assault Charges

Holly police are investigating what happened during a fight at a Holly bar that resulted in the death of a 43-year-old Highland man.

Police responded to a call from Martini’s Bar & Grill in the Village of Holly for an assault complaint on Friday, Oct. 12. Officers arrived and found a 43-year-old Highland man lying unconscious outside the bar, according to a press release from Holly police.

Rescue crews transported the victim, who police have identified as Ronald Smith, to Genesys Regional Medical Center, where he never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead on Monday, according to police.

Police believe a 37-year-old Fenton man punched the victim in the face during an altercation, causing him to fall backward and slam his head on the cement, resulting in a severe brain injury. The Fenton man then left the scene, according to the report, but later was arrested by Holly police on aggravated assault charges and parole violations.

Charges against the suspect, who is not being named at this time, are pending, according to police.

“The incident is still being investigated. There were a lot of witnesses — upwards of 15 — to still go through,” Holly Chief of Police Michael Story told The Oakland Press.