Man Hospitalized After Kid Rock Concert

Craig Lawson of Ontario, Canada, was charged with misdemeanor third-degree assault after punching McNeil unconscious outside the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, according to authorities.

“They were separated by inside security and somehow met back up when they went back out into the parking lot,” Genesee County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Timothy Weis said. “They had another short altercation and it appears as though Mr. Lawson punched Mr. McNeil one time in the head.”

McNeil’s cousin said he had not argued with anyone inside the venue and the attack was random or involved mistaken identity. She said she and McNeil’s wife were walking behind him when a man walked up behind McNeil and punched him in the temple.

McNeil suffered an additional head injury when falling, according to the cousin.

“So he’s suffering from two head injuries. It knocked him unconscious instantly,” she told the News. “He was bleeding and nonresponsive. The ambulance was there in less than five minutes. They transported him to a field across the way and he was flown to the hospital.”

A fundraising page set up for McNeil and his family said he “will endure months or more of intense rehabilitation” when and if he regains consciousness. McNeil is co-owner of an automotive supplier that provides warehousing services, according to the paper.

“Live Nation is saddened that at the Kid Rock show one of our patrons, Mr. Jason McNeal, was injured from a random act of violence by another patron while leaving the show,” Live Nation said in a statement to Pollstar. “Live Nation’s security and medical personnel, as well as the Genesee County Sherriff’s Department, responded quickly and efficiently to the incident resulting in Mr. McNeal being airlifted to Erie County Medical Center where he is currently being treated.

“The other man was arrested as a result of these efforts. We at Live Nation want to send our prayers and thoughts out to Mr. McNeal and his family during this ordeal. The family is from Tuscaloosa, Alabama and has set up a fundraising website to help with the medical and temporary living expenses of Mr. McNeal and his family while dealing with his injuries, Live Nation will be making a contribution to this fund. Should any of our fans desire to make a contribution, the web site is here.”