NEWS

Reconstructive surgery needed after Centenary fight, cops say

Michael Izzo
@MIzzoDR

HACKETTSTOWN - Two men were charged with assaulting a third on the Centenary College campus, injuring the victim’s face extensively enough to require reconstructive surgery, police said.

At about 11:11 p.m. Oct. 9, police responded to Centenary College’s campus near Van Winkle Hall in reference to an assault, Sgt. Darren Tynan said.

Police arrived and found a man bleeding from the right side of his face and being attended to by college security, Tynan said.

The victim then was taken to the Hackettstown Regional Medical Center by the Hackettstown Rescue Squad, Tynan said.

Through an investigation, police determined Adam Swift, 22, of Secaucus, and Joseph Bartolini, 22, of Lakewood, had a physical altercation with the victim, Tynan said.

“Words were exchanged” and the physical force of being punched by Swift and Bartolini caused the victim to suffer extensive injuries to the right side of his face that required reconstructive surgery, Tynan said.

Bartolini also pushed the victim’s friend to the ground during the altercation, Tynan said.

On Friday, Swift was charged with second-degree aggravated assault, and Bartolini was charged with second-degree aggravated assault and simple assault, disorderly person.

Both posted $15,000 bail and were released pending a court appearance.

Tynan said he could not say if Swift, Bartolini, or the victims were Centenary College students.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636: mizzo@GannettNJ.com