Blow to Neck Leaves Man Critically Hurt

A 19-year-old man was in critical condition Tuesday after a stranger who saw him arguing with his girlfriend intervened, striking the victim on the neck and leaving him gasping on the ground, police said.

Robert Lee Gonzales of Huntington Beach was taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange shortly before 11 p.m. Monday. The single blow to the neck may have collapsed his windpipe, causing him to stop breathing, police said.

Gonzales remained on life support at the hospital late Tuesday.

The attack occurred about 10:30 p.m. Monday near 1st and Newhope streets, police said. Gonzales and his 17-year-old girlfriend, who was not identified, started arguing in his car while waiting for a red light to change.

The girl, who lives in Santa Ana, told police she jumped out of the car and was chased by Gonzales, who yelled for her to come back. At that point, the bystander approached the couple and warned Gonzales not to mistreat the girl, police said.

It is unclear whether Gonzales provoked the stranger into a fight, but police said the man hit Gonzales one time before quickly leaving the area. The girl did not see a weapon in the man’s hand, police said.

“We don’t know if the suspect has martial arts training or what,” said Lt. Robert Chavez. “But it was a pretty good blow that landed just right.”

Police did not release a description of the suspect but said he could be arrested on suspicion of assault.