Worthington man accused of starting fight at gas station

A Worthington man is accused of throwing punches and starting a fight with a man at a gas station in Worthington because he thought the man had harassed his girlfriend. A summons was issued yesterday following a WPD investigation into the incident that occurred in October.

Trayson N. Westray, 26, Worthington, is facing a preliminary charge of battery resulting in bodily injury, a Class A misdemeanor, following an investigation by Deputy Marshal Ryan Montgomery of the Worthington Police Department.

A criminal case was filed in Greene Superior Court last week but the incident occurred in late October. A summons was issued yesterday ordering Westray to appear in court for an initial hearing in February.

Officer Montgomery was dispatched to a fight at the Petro Plus gas station at 203 South Commercial/State Road 67 in Worthington at 4:53 p.m. on Sunday, October 25. Westray is accused of starting a physical fight with a man who was at the station with his fiancé/girlfriend.

When Officer Montgomery talked to the man, he said he was at gas pump number one with his girlfriend/fiancé when a person, later identified as Westray, walked up to him and asked him who he was. He said Westray then immediately assaulted him by throwing punches at his face and chest. The man said he was able to block the punches but he lost his balance and both men ended up on the ground then up against a vehicle.

The man’s girlfriend, who called 911, was a witness and confirmed the man’s story.

When Officer Montgomery talked to Westray, he claimed the man had been harassing his (Westray’s) girlfriend. Westray said he was leaving the station when he saw the man arriving so he turned around and went back to confront the man. Westray allegedly admitted he walked up to the man, asked him his name, then assaulted him by grabbing him then throwing him to the ground then against a vehicle. According to Officer Montgomery, Westray admitted he started the altercation.

Westray was reported to have received some injuries. A Greene County Ambulance arrived on scene and Westray was transported to the hospital for medical treatment.

The man was reported to have received bruising and scrapes, all photographed, on the left side of his abdomen, his lower back and his shoulder area.