The defendant in a late May assault that left the victim in critical condition waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday.

Thomas Hosler, 52, and his attorney, James Heidecker of Allentown, appeared before Magisterial District Judge Stephen Bayer, who advised Hosler that assault-related charges would be bound over to Schuylkill County Court.According to the criminal complaint:Tamaqua Police Officer Joseph Krebs responded 2:34 a.m. on May 30 to a dispatch in the area of Citizens Fire Company, West Rowe Street, for a report of an unconscious man lying in the roadway.The report from the Schuylkill Communications Center indicated that a male punched the victim and then took off in a white SUV.Friends identified the victim as Zachary Evans.According to police, a group of Evans' friends said they were walking to Citizens Fire Company from the Hang Loose Bar.As they arrived, an older man wearing a red bandanna walked out of the fire company bar.Evans walked up to the man and placed his arm around him and said, "Hey, how do we get in this place?"The man responded, "Don't (expletive) touch me."Evans let the man go and placed his hands in the air. The man then punched Evans with a closed fist, knocking Evans to the pavement. Evans also struck his head on a vehicle, according to the report.The man then walked to the white SUV and drove off, heading north on Schuylkill Avenue.Lehighton ALS ambulance arrived and transported Evans to the Tamaqua Area High School parking lot for transport by air medical.The helicopter couldn't fly in the rainy weather, so Evans was taken by ambulance to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown.According to police, Krebs and Officer Thomas Rodgers entered the bar.An examination of video surveillance resulted in identification of the male as Hosler.A bartender supplied Hosler's Washington Street address and police began tracking him down, a search which involved West Penn police.Hosler was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment.Evans is represented by Attorney Mark Semanchik of Frackville.