VENTURA : Man Hurt in Beating Remains in Hospital

A Ventura man who was severely beaten in an altercation prompted by two groups “mad-dogging,” or staring at each other, remained hospitalized Wednesday at Ventura County Medical Center, authorities said.

Kenneth Howley, 26, was listed in good condition after being admitted to the intensive care unit following the Sunday incident, a hospital spokeswoman said. His friend, Patrick Shanahan, 27, was treated and released from the hospital the same day.

Howley and Shanahan were driving east on California 126 early Sunday when they became involved in mad-dogging with three or four people in another car, Ventura Police Sgt. Bob Anderson said. Occupants of the two cars stared, hassled each other and flashed their lights, he said.

“A conflict developed as they drove,” Anderson said.

The two cars then left the highway and pulled over at Henderson Road and Thille Street in Ventura, he said. Shanahan pulled a baseball bat from his car. The bat was taken away from Shanahan, and he and Howley were attacked, Anderson said.

A neighbor called police to report the fight, police said. The assailants fled and an ambulance was summoned. Anderson said the incident was not gang-related.