Man Drives Car Into Bar After Dispute; 1 Hurt

A Huntington Beach man who had argued with his daughter’s boyfriend at a neighborhood bar Saturday returned and drove through the bar’s front door, severely injuring another customer, police said.

Vernon Hugh Knowles, 47, became upset shortly before noon after a brief argument and tussle over a bottle of beer with the younger man in Hyroy’s bar at Heil Avenue and Bolsa Chica Street. Knowles left the bar, but a few minutes later his car slammed through the front of it, Police Sgt. William Van Cleve said.

The car hit Montgomery Anderson, 35, who suffered chest injuries and a concussion. He remains in critical condition at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital.

“Apparently the car went right down the front of the bar where all the stools are,” Lt. John Foster said. It entered with enough force to move heavy slate pool tables and demolish much of the inside.

Knowles was booked on suspicion of attempted murder and is being held at Huntington Beach City Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail. The man with whom Knowles had been arguing escaped injury.