White City Man Dies After Becoming Unresponsive During JCSO Arrest
Medford Police is leading an outside investigation into the death; autopsy and toxicology results are pending.
AT A GLANCE
Incident: A 39-year-old White City man died Tuesday night after becoming unresponsive during a JCSO DUII arrest near Table Rock Road and Orr Drive.
Timeline: The man was taken into custody at 9:44 p.m. and later became unresponsive while deputies and medics were on scene.
Investigation: Medford Police is leading the MADIU investigation into the in-custody death.
Cause of death: An autopsy and toxicology testing are pending. Authorities have not determined the cause or manner of death.
CENTRAL POINT, Ore. — A 39-year-old White City man died Tuesday night after becoming unresponsive during an arrest by Jackson County sheriff’s deputies near Table Rock Road and Orr Drive.
The man’s name has not been released. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said it is withholding his identity out of respect for his family.
According to an account released by JCSO on Aug. 20, the encounter began at 9:17 p.m. Aug. 18 when Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon received a 911 call from a man who was speaking incoherently and appeared confused. During the call, the man reported that someone may have drugged him.
Deputies responded to the area of Table Rock Road and Orr Drive, where JCSO said they found the man in the roadway obstructing traffic and showing signs of intoxication.
During the investigation, deputies determined the man had driven to the location and took him into custody at 9:44 p.m. for driving under the influence of a controlled substance.
The sheriff’s office said the man began physically resisting as deputies walked him toward a patrol vehicle. Deputies lowered him to the ground to maintain control, called for additional officers and requested medical personnel stage nearby.
JCSO said the man then appeared to lose consciousness. Deputies placed him in the recovery position and asked medical personnel to respond directly to the scene.
According to the sheriff’s office, the man regained consciousness moments later, began talking and again physically resisted deputies. Oregon State Police troopers arrived to assist while the man remained in the recovery position.
Mercy Flights medics arrived at 9:51 p.m. and evaluated the man on the ground before moving him to a gurney at 9:58 p.m.
Shortly afterward, he again became unresponsive.
Paramedics began lifesaving efforts, which continued until 10:42 p.m., according to JCSO.
Afterward, the sheriff’s office said a search of the man’s belongings located a bag containing a white powder that field-tested positive for cocaine. An autopsy and toxicology testing have been requested, and authorities have not determined the cause or manner of death.
Outside investigation underway
The Jackson County Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit is investigating the death, with the Medford Police Department serving as the lead agency.
Using an outside law enforcement agency to investigate an in-custody death is standard protocol, according to JCSO. MADIU includes investigators from JCSO, Oregon State Police, Medford Police, Central Point Police, Ashland Police and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said any additional information from the investigation will be released by the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.
As of Monday morning, no body-camera footage from the encounter had been publicly released, and Jefferson Daily News had not located a subsequent public update from investigators.
The cause and manner of the man’s death remain undetermined pending the autopsy, toxicology results and ongoing investigation.
Cover image: file photo.
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