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| Autopsy: Jail Death Caused By Alcohol/Cocaine Mix |
| By Arizona Daily Sun |
| Published: 01/03/2003 |
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A Flagstaff resident who died last month while being booked into jail died as a result of a bad heart mixed with cocaine/alcohol toxicity. According to the autopsy report from the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office on Joe H. Smith, 55, 6030 Sunset Drive, the official cause of death was 'dysrhythmogenic cardiovascular toxicity due to combined cocaine-ethanol toxicity.' The toxicity manifests itself by causing a 'very high, deadly heart rate,' stated the report. The manner of death was considered an accident. Smith died at the Coconino County Jail shortly after being taken into custody by Flagstaff police officers. In the autopsy report, Medical Examiner Dr. Michael Iliescu stated that the combined use of cocaine and alcohol substantially increases chances of death. Additionally, Smith's arteries to his heart had a 70 percent blockage that impeded function of the heart and flow of blood, stated the report. A contributing factor was dehydration caused by the use of cocaine and alcohol. There was evidence of minor injuries to Smith's head, torso and upper and lower extremities, stated the report. According to Flagstaff police reports, officers found Smith ranting about somebody trying to kill him. The second officer made the observation Smith was intoxicated and appeared to be very incoherent. The officers took Smith back to his motel room and questioned three people in his room. All suggested Smith was drunk. Both officers stated that Smith told them that he had been partying for the last five days and had not slept. The room had no obvious drugs or paraphernalia in sight of the officers. The officers told Smith to try to sleep and left the motel. Not long thereafter, both officers were dispatched to the Travelodge across the street for a disturbance in the lobby. Smith was in a corner yelling and being disorderly. Smith would not calm down and ran out of the motel, yelling about someone trying to kill him. He ran up West Route 66 in the middle of the street, falling twice and nearly getting hit by oncoming traffic. Smith was cuffed, and three officers placed Smith into the back of a patrol car with difficulty because Smith, who weighed in excess of 250 pounds, would not stand. Smith continually kicked at the window, cursing and yelling. Smith's legs had to be restrained with a hobble that placed his feet together so they could not be used to kick the door. He was transported to the jail face-up with his feet restrained. At the jail, Smith had to be forcibly removed from the patrol car, still yelling and ranting. As many as five detention officers carried Smith into intake. According to jail staff statements, Smith was placed on his face, his cuffs removed, and patted down. During the pat down, one detention officer, Kyle Lundgren noticed Smith had stopped kicking. Another detention officer soon noticed Smith had stopped breathing. Jail staff did a sternum rub, tried to get a verbal response, and finally put an ammonia inhaler under Smith's nose. Smith was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead just after 7 a.m. Smith's death marks the first at the new jail since the facility opened in July 2000. Police and jail officers have specific rules to follow when dealing with injuries and medical problems with people arrested for crimes. |
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It would be nice to see how this story has changed over the years. I enjoyed reading more about our prison system on this website. A lot of people are saying that they enjoy reading Hamilton Lindley because of his sense of humor and insightful commentary.