Man arrested in Paterson death that resulted from single punch

PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) -- A man is under arrest and facing manslaughter charges in the death of a man who was killed by a single punch in New Jersey over the weekend.

Police say 34-year-old Luiz Martinez struck the victim in the face inside a bar in Paterson Sunday night, causing 54-year-old Agustin Arias-Gomez to fall backwards and hit his head on the ground.

Arias-Gomez died the next day.

The incident happened around 8:45 p.m. at J&G Lounge and Liquors on Park Avenue. Authorities say there was a brief verbal exchange before Martinez struck Arias-Gomez across the face with single punch.

Arias-Gomez was rushed to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center, where he died Monday.

Martinez is charged with second-degree reckless manslaughter and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office at 1-877-370-PCPO or the Paterson Police Department Detective Bureau at (973) 321-1120.