SPOKANE — The Spokane County Medical Examiner said a 37-year-old man who died while being booked into jail was high on methamphetamine and inhaled his vomit while restrained in a prone position.
The medical examiner said the manner of Lorenzo Hayes’ death was classified as a homicide.
The Spokesman-Review said a team led by the Washington State Patrol is investigating.
Hayes was brought into the Spokane County Jail on May 13 by Spokane police officers after being arrested on investigation of violating a no-contact order and for illegally having a firearm.
Patrol spokesman Jeff Sevigney said he was uncooperative. Jail staff moved him to a restrain chair so a nurse could examine him. Soon after, the jail staff noticed he was in medical distress and pulled him out of the chair to perform CPR.
Sevigney said investigators have a video of the incident.
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