Seneca man taken to hospital after being beaten

A Seneca man suffered serious injuries in an alleged assault Friday night at the Petro truck stop, 4240 S. Highway 43, authorities said.

Joplin police Cpl. Chuck Niess said that Bryon Hansen, 27, was taken to St. John’s Regional Medical Center with an apparent concussion, broken cheekbone and head laceration after an alleged assault by three men, including the ex-husband of Hansen’s girlfriend.

Niess said the ex-husband, Jonathan Hawkins, 25, 1806 E. Central St., was reported to have threatened Hansen while he was at the truck stop with Hawkins’ ex-wife, and then blocked their vehicle as they were trying to leave. An exchange of words ensued before one of two men with Hawkins punched Hansen, and then Hawkins and the third man allegedly began punching and kicking Hansen and hitting him with a bat, Niess said.

Jonathan Hawkins and Alejandro Scott, 32, 5328 Douglas Fir Road, were arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault. Niess said that Larry Hawkins, 27, 1807 E. Central St., was arrested and charged with a felony of using a bat on the victim.