ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) – Police have added a Second Degree Murder charge against a man accused of assaulting a pedestrian Feb. 29 on Haywood Road near Craven Street in Asheville.
Tyler Coenraads, 23, originally had been charged with Assault, Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury, following the incident, which left Gregory William Martin hospitalized with severe head trauma. Martin later died on March 12.
The investigation continued including Asheville Police detectives and the State Medical Examiner’s office, and after police consulted with the Buncombe County District Attorney’s office, the Second Degree Murder charges were added, police said in a release Wednesday.
Coenraads reportedly turned himself in to authorities on Monday and a magistrate ordered him held on a no bond hold, meaning he is ineligible for release.
Earlier police reports said a confrontation began when Martin tapped on the hood of a stopped vehicle and a then-unidentified passenger came out of the vehicle and pushed him to the ground. Martin was transported to Mission Hospital for treatment as police worked to identify the suspect.
Coenraads initially turned himself in on March 8, booked under a $5,000 secured bond on the original charge of Assault, Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury. He later was released, but now is back in custody on the Second-Degree Murder charge.