Man attempts UFC move, falls to death
Fruitland man falls to his death at Farmington hotel A Fruitland man celebrating the marriage of a family member died…
Fruitland man falls to his death at Farmington hotel
A Fruitland man celebrating the marriage of a family member died after falling out of the third story window at the Best Western Inn and Suites in Farmington around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Darenell Jones, 25, was pushed into the window after re-enacting a move from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, police said.
Paramedics conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation and took Jones to San Juan Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Jones fell about 20 feet to the sidewalk below, police said.
“It was horrifying for everybody,” said Lenore Paulson, assistant general manager at Best Western. “It’s been a quiet, sad and somber day around here.” Witnesses saw the incident from below and one gentleman was checking into the hotel at the time, Paulson said.
Jones and other family members were drinking in the hotel room rented by Jones’ cousin, police said. “There was definitely alcohol involved in the room,” Paulson said.
The group was watching the Ultimate Fighting Championship and horseplay began, police said. The window broke when Jones was pushed into it during a fighting move and he fell to the sidewalk, police said.
It probably was a considerable amount of force because those windows are thick, Paulson said. The windows are one-quarter-inch thick and shatterproof. The windows don’t open and are pure glass, Paulson said.
No charges were filed and the case was forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for review. “Our condolences go out to the family that was involved,” Paulson said. “It’s unfortunate that alcohol played a role in it.”
