Man Dies From Injuries In Graton Casino Parking-Lot Brawl

RONERT PARK, CA – A Santa Rosa man who was assaulted at the Graton Resort & Casino earlier this month died last Tuesday and his alleged assailant has surrendered to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.

James Morgan Lewis Jr., 44, of Lake County, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter, assault likely to cause great bodily injury, and causing a traumatic brain injury during the commission of a felony, sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Crum said today.

Lewis posted a $50,000 bond and was released from Sonoma County Jail.

Sheriff's officials said Dondiego Hermilo Andrade, 55, was with several men at the casino west of Rohnert Park around 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 15.

An argument between the men and Lewis occurred when the men's SUV struck the door of Lewis' truck.

During the argument, Lewis' girlfriend was pushed to the ground and Lewis was punched in the face. Lewis and his girlfriend did not request prosecution for the assault because they were not sure which man assaulted
them, sheriff's Sgt. Brandon Cutting said.

Deputies who responded to the incident left the scene, but returned 10 minutes later regarding another altercation, Cutting said.

Deputies learned Lewis saw Andrade, one of the men he believed was involved in the earlier assault, and shoved him backwards causing him to fall and hit his head, Cutting said.

Andrade was unresponsive and unconscious and was taken to a hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries, Cutting said.

Lewis initially was arrested on suspicion of felony assault causing great bodily injury and was booked into Sonoma County Jail. He was released after posting a $35,000 bond, Cutting said.

The incident was captured on a surveillance camera, Crum said.

• PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man In Critical Condition After 'Violent Assault' In Casino Lot

• ALSO SEE: Driver & Dog OK After Triple-Rollover Crash On Hwy 101

--Image via Sonoma County Sheriff's Office