Special to the Enquirer

One victim is in a coma and an Altoona is in custody after an assault incident earlier this month.

Oct. 9 Morgan County sheriff’s deputies Celese Sharbutt and Sean Mukaddam responded to a disturbance call in the 50 block of Terry Road in unincorporated Hartselle. Once on scene, deputies located a male victim who was bleeding from his head. According to the MCSO, he was conscious but unresponsive.

Deputies determined an individual had arrived while the victim was mowing a yard, and a verbal altercation turned physical, with the unknown subject stomping on the victim’s head several times.

The victim was treated and taken to Huntsville Hospital in critical condition. He sustained multiple skull fractures with possible brain damage, a broken jaw and a partially torn-off ear.

MCSO investigator John Dickson arrived on scene, and deputies determined the identity of the suspect and issued a “be on the lookout” notice for the suspect and vehicle.

During this time, the suspect, Austin David Ray Wiley, returned to the scene and was detained.

Investigators arrested Wiley, 27, of Altoona, who is charged with assault second degree–aggravated assault.

He was booked in the Morgan County Jail on a $75,000 bond.

According to the MCSO, the victim remains in a coma in Huntsville Hospital. Additional charges are possible if the victim’s status changes.