An Iowa City man was charged with willful injury causing serious injury early Thursday morning after he allegedly struck another man repeatedly in the head with a tire iron.

Iowa City police officers responded to Mercy Hospital around 12:45 a.m. Thursday after receiving a report about a person being treated for injuries consistent with being beaten with a tire iron.

According to a complaint by Iowa City police, investigation into the assault determined that Darren Dirks, 21, was at his residence with two other people when he got into an argument with one of them. The argument escalated, and Dirks allegedly grabbed a tire iron and began hitting the man in the head.

The complaint said the victim sustained lacerations to his face and head, a broken tooth, and possible bone fractures to both his face and head.

The third person present during the attack stated Dirks struck the victim eight times with the tire iron, according to a complaint. Dirks allegedly admitted to the assault, noting he felt threatened, though he could not remember why.

Willful injury causing serious injury is a Class-C felony.

— by Matt Starns