Colorado Man Dies After Club Bouncer Used Chokehold

A 23-year-old Denver man lost his life after a club bouncer used a chokehold on him Saturday night at Lodo's Bar and Grill in Westminster.

Girlfriend Suzette Meacham told Denver7 that Sammy Joe Pickle II slipped into a coma after the Saturday night scuffle, provoked by a girl that slapped him on the butt.

"I told her that wasn't cool, and she came back with 3 guys," Meacham told Denver7. "They pushed Sam and then 4 bouncers came over and saw him with his hands up for protection and jumped on him."

Meacham says one of the bouncers put Pickle in a chokehold for 3 to 5 minutes. Pickle was unconscious by the time Westminster police arrived, and he was rushed to the hospital with critical injuries.

Tuesday morning, Denver7 reporter Jaclyn Allen tweeted, "I'm sorry to report Sam Pickle II died this morning."

Police are investigating, and no charges have been filed yet.

Lodo's Bar and Grill manager would not provide Denver7 with any comment on the case, but said they are cooperating with police. None of the bouncers were off-duty police officers, the manager added.

Meacham says she and Pickle had been in a relationship for nearly 3 years and were planning a future together.

"We have an apartment together. We just got a dog together...We were talking about children and planning the rest of our lives."