Cobb man hits head on pavement and dies after punch, police say

A Cobb County man died after a hit to the face caused him to fall and strike his head on the pavement, according to police.

Friday afternoon, the man accused of hitting the man was arrested, Cobb County police said. Investigators believe the incident started as a argument between two groups Thursday night at the Mableton Reserve apartments, located in the 6800 block of Mableton Parkway, according to Sgt. Dana Pierce.

During the argument, Otis Laws, 23, allegedly struck Quintaurum Gardner, 36, in the face, Pierce said. The impact caused Gardner to fall and hit the ground, hitting his head on the pavement, according to police. Gardner, of Mableton, was unconscious when he was transported to Atlanta Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, Pierce said.

Laws, also of Mableton, was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with involuntary manslaughter and battery, Pierce said.