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Centralia man in critical condition after assault

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS –  A 63-year-old Centralia man is on life support after a punch in the face by an acquaintance and the suspect is jailed, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said this morning the assault occurred on Sunday night at the 3500 block of Harrison Avenue but the victim was not discovered until 8 a.m. yesterday by his roommate.

The victim suffered a broken nose, a bruised eye and potentially then a stroke as the result, Breen said.

He was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital and then transferred to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia where he is currently in the critical care unit, Breen said.

Deputies began investigating yesterday afternoon and spoke with the suspect who allegedly admitted to striking his acquaintance.

Mark W. Powell, 46, described as a transient person who lives in the Centralia area, said the 63-year-old had made advances towards Powell’s wife, Breen said.

It happened sometime between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Sunday night, the 63-year-old fell to the floor and the couple left, Breen said. Powell was arrested yesterday for second-degree assault and booked into the Lewis County Jail.

He is tentatively scheduled to be brought before a judge this afternoon in Lewis County Superior Court.

The sheriff’s office is asking anyone with information about the incident to contact them.