The fight occurred on Greek Row on September 24th. 26 year old Austen Dawson of Moscow as seriously injured in the fight with Phi Delta Theta fraternity member Arath Chavez.
Moscow Police and the Latah County Prosecutor’s office issued a rare joint statement on Thursday to announce the results of the investigation. Numerous witnesses were interviewed by officers and police reviewed video and audio of the fight.
The incident began while Dawson was driving his girlfriend’s car and delivering for DoorDash near the fraternity house. A friend of Chavez missed a basketball shot and the ball hit Dawson’s vehicle. Dawson asked Chavez if his girlfriend’s car was damaged and then starting challenging him to a fight. Chavez stated there was no damage and Moscow Police determined that the ball didn’t damage the car.
Dawson then parked and delivered the food to a nearby sorority house. Investigators found that Dawson told a member of the sorority that he was going to fight Chavez. Authorities say Dawson continued to provoke Chavez to fight and eventually he agreed. The men shook hands in the street and witnesses say Dawson swung first. Chavez then tackled Dawson to the ground causing his head to hit the pavement. Chavez then punched Dawson four times. Dawson tried to get up before falling down. He started to suffer a seizure and emergency crews were called to the scene.
Authorities determined that Dawson’s major injuries were caused by his head hitting the ground and not from the punches. Chavez was investigated for possible aggravated battery. Authorities say that charge requires “great bodily harm” which was not caused by Chavez’s punches.
Moscow Police and Latah County Prosecutors determined that there is not enough evidence to prove an aggravated battery case beyond a reasonable doubt. Charges will not be filed in this case.
