Victim of Watsonville bar brawl dies of his injuries

A man knocked unconscious in a fight outside a Watsonville bar last month has died of his injuries, police said Monday.

Watsonville police found the 51-year-old on the ground outside the Villager Bar in the early morning hours of Sept. 20. Officers were responding to reports of a fight going on outside the East Lake Avenue bar.

Witnesses pointed officers to a car leaving the parking lot with three men inside who were reportedly involved in the fight.

Police arrested the three occupants. Antonio Rodriguez of Watsonville was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, possession of cocaine, fighting in a public place and assault with a deadly weapon. His passengers, Raymond Angulo and Israel Garcia, were arrested on suspicion of fighting in a public place and assault with a deadly weapon.

Garcia and Rodriguez are out of custody, but Angulo remains behind bars at the Santa Cruz County Jail, where his bail has been increased to $500,000.

In light of the victim’s death, the District Attorney’s Office could decide to file murder or manslaughter charges against the suspects.

An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.