Police rarely called to Middletown bar where man was hit, later died

Middletown police rarely respond to call for service at a Middletown bar where a man was punched and later died Saturday, according to police reports.

Police have been called to Old Crow Bar, 1217 Jackson Lane, three times this year, for reports of a bad check, possible OVI arrest and for Saturday’s incident.

RELATED: Police: Middletown man died after being punched and falling off stage

John W. Fugate, 46, a musician who booked bands at the Old Crow Bar, died Saturday morning after an incident in the Middletown bar, according to Middletown police and friends.

Fugate allegedly was punched while he was standing on stage around 1 a.m. Saturday, said Maj. Scott Reeve from the Middletown Division of Police. Fugate fell backward off the stage and hit his head on the concrete floor, Reeve said. He was unconscious when police arrived at 1:18 a.m., Reeve said. Fugate was transported to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, where he died Saturday, police said.

Reeve said police know who allegedly punched Fugate, but no charges have been filed. After the investigation is complete, the facts will be presented to the Butler County Grand Jury for consideration, Reeve said.

In 2017, police responded to the bar once for a possible drunk patron on Sept. 15, according to police reports.

Police were called to the bar four times in 2016 for reports of domestic dispute, drugs, public disturbance and breaking and entering.

Reeve said Old Crow has changed management a few times, and while it was “a problem at times,” it’s not causing a nuisance now.

Fugate’s autopsy was performed by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, but results have not been released, officials said.

RELATED: Middletown bar that police called a known nuisance is being demolished

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