A victim was left in a coma and may lose his eye after a brutal attack where authorities say the suspect stomped on him so hard that it left a shoe imprint on his face outside a bar in McHenry on New Year’s Day.
Erik J. Brzenk, 27, of McHenry, was charged with one count of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, a Class 3 felony.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Brzenk caused great bodily harm and possible disfigurement to another man around 1:30 a.m. Thursday in McHenry.
Brzenk punched, kicked and stomped on the victim, causing serious injuries to his face and head, according to the complaint.
The complaint said the victim was placed in a drug-induced coma and will possibly lose his eye.
Court documents said Brzenk admitted to punching, kicking and stomping on the victim numerous times.
Brzenk said he checked that the victim was breathing but never called for help or waited for paramedics.
After the victim was unconscious, Brzenk stomped on the victim’s head multiple times and so hard that he left the imprint of his shoe soles on the victim’s face, court documents said.
McHenry Police Department Public Affairs Officer Ashley O’Herron said the incident occurred in the rear public parking lot east of Green Street, behind the Gamblur and The Vixen.
O’Herron said a good Samaritan came across the victim and called 911. They did not witness the attack.
Officers arrived and found the victim was lying on the ground and unconscious with obvious significant injuries to his head area.
Brzenk and the victim do not appear to have known each other and the investigation remains ongoing, O’Herron said, adding that it appears alcohol was involved.
Officers arrested Brzenk and transported him to the McHenry County Jail.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Brzenk pending trial and McHenry County Judge Cynthia Lamb granted the petition during an Initial Appearance Court hearing on Friday.
The judge said that despite a lack of criminal history, the specific facts of the case make it clear that there are no conditions of pre-trial release that could mitigate the real and present threat that Brzenk poses to the community.
Brzenk is scheduled to appear in court again on Wednesday morning for a status of preliminary hearing.