Man allegedly assaults neighbor, breaks trachea

Shamokin, Pa. — Police say a man punched his neighbor in the throat and broke his trachea, causing the neighbor to spend a week in a hospital trauma intensive care unit.

James Brestel Jr., 38, of Shamokin, now faces charges for the alleged assault that occurred on June 22 near an apartment in Shamokin. Patrolman Benjamin Busko of Shamokin Police arrived at the scene and spoke to the victim, who was having trouble breathing. He told police Brestel had punched him, which was also corroborated by a witness at the scene, according to the affidavit.

The alleged victim was taken to Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital for treatment. The next day, a nurse called police and informed them the man was being transferred to the trauma intensive care unit at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville for a broken trachea, Busko wrote in the affidavit. The man was initially put on a ventilator when he first arrived, and still has a tracheotomy to help him breathe, police say.

When police interviewed Brestel, he admitted he punched the man in the throat. Brestel claimed the accuser had balled up his fist after Brestel's wife confronted him; Brestel told police he was unsure if the accuser was going to hit him or the wife, according to the affidavit.

Brestel was charged with felony aggravated assault, misdemeanors of recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct, and simple assault. District Judge William J. Zalinski set bail at $15,000. Brestel remains in Northumberland County Prison awaiting a preliminary hearing set for July 9.

Docket Sheet