Mendocino County sheriff's detectives suspect a young Covelo man caused life-threatening head injuries to another Covelo man in an assault, a sheriff's official said Monday.
Michael Alvarez, 33, was being treated at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.
Suspect Kenneth Whipple, 18, turned himself in to detectives late Thursday afternoon, said Capt. Greg Van Patten.
He was arrested on suspicion of battery with serious bodily injury. Whipple was released from the Mendocino County Jail after posting $30,000 bail.
No motive was given for the 2 a.m. assault. In a brief statement Alvarez told detectives the two knew each other. He said he was walking on Henderson Road when Whipple approached him, began yelling and started to beat him.
The assault allegedly continued after Alvarez fell to the ground and he was knocked unconscious. When he came to he crawled along the road until a driver stopped to help.
Alvarez was taken to Frank Howard Hospital in Willits, then transferred to Memorial due to the severity of his injuries, Van Patten said.
Detectives believe he was kicked in the head and face. The injuries initially were life-threatening but the victim now is expected to survive. He will need surgery for facial injuries, Van Patten said.
He asked anyone with information about the assault to contact the Sheriff's Office tip line at (707) 234-2100.
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