Iowa City man accused of hitting individual with tire iron

UPDATE: An Iowa City man is accused of willful injury causing serious injury after authorities say he allegedly struck a man with a tire iron during an argument.

Iowa City police say that they responded to Mercy Iowa City after receiving word that an individual was being treated for injuries suffered from being hit with a tire iron at 12:45 a.m. Thursday morning.

Upon investigation, officers say they learned that Darren V. Dirks, 21, of 1100 Arthur Street No.E1, had allegedly hit the individual with the tire iron during an argument at his residence.

A witness to the incident stated that Dirks had allegedly struck the victim, a 28-year-0ld man, with the tire iron at least eight times.

Iowa City Police Sgt. Denise Brotherton said that Dirks and the man did not know each other well, but had been drinking heavily while at the apartment with a witness, whom they both knew.

The witness told authorities that Dirks and the man had been drinking and began arguing. Reports indicate that Dirks was prompted to grab the tire iron after the man had kicked his coffee table multiple times.

Police say that after being read his rights, Dirks allegedly admitted  that he had grabbed the tire iron and struck the individual, saying that he had “felt threatened” but could not remember why.

After being hit, the injured man was taken to the hospital by the witness and a third party.

Brotherton says that although the man's injuries were significant and included lacerations, a broken tooth and possible bone fractures to the head and face, he was able to speak with officers at the hospital.

Dirks was being held at the Johnson County Jail on a $10,000 bond Thursday morning.