Father of man injured in University of Idaho fight questions police finding

MOSCOW, Idaho — Moscow police will not file criminal charges in a fight outside a University of Idaho fraternity that left a man in a coma for a week last fall.

The fight happened between DoorDash driver Austen Dawson and University of Idaho student Arath Chavez nearly five months ago.

A press release from Moscow Police and the Latah County Prosecutor’s Office says no charges will be filed because Dawson’s injuries came from when he hit his head on the pavement after being tackled, not from the four punches Chavez threw while he was on the ground.

Police say Dawson repeatedly challenged the student to fight after Chavez refused several times. They say Dawson swung first and both parties agreed to fight.

Police reached this conclusion using video, audio recordings and witness statements.

Dawson’s father, Adam Dawson, disputes the police account and calls the result disturbing.

“I don’t know how you hit your head on the concrete. Then, the punches after that, while your head’s still on the concrete. Didn’t do anything wrong. Didn’t make any more damage. It’s unheard of. Especially considering that Austin has black eyes from, what, 4 or 5 months ago? Still. So, you know, it was obviously significant. The punches after that were significant,” Adam Dawson said.

Adam Dawson says his son is doing better and he is thankful Austen is alive. The family is considering filing a civil lawsuit.