April 05--NORFOLK -- A man who police say had been combative and suicidal died Tuesday after losing consciousness as he was being driven to a hospital in a patrol car.
Before that, he was violent toward officers and paramedics, and he was pepper-sprayed and restrained with handcuffs and leg restraints, police said. The man was reported to be disoriented and suicidal in the 7800 block of Diven Arch near Norfolk Naval Station about 5 p.m., police spokesman Chris Amos said.
Police did not release the man's name. Detectives are investigating, and his body was taken to the medical examiner's office.
"Upon arrival officers confronted an adult male who appeared incoherent; additionally the individual was throwing up," a police statement said. "Suspecting possible drug use, officers requested paramedics respond to the scene."
After spraying and restraining the man, police put him upright in the back of a police car and buckled him in, police said. They told paramedics to follow them to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
On the way, "the suspect lost consciousness. Medical treatment was immediately provided by the paramedics following the marked unit," the police statement noted. It said the man was then placed in the paramedics' ambulance and taken to Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center, where he died.
Harry Worley, a spokesman for Norfolk Fire-Rescue, said paramedics at the scene on Diven Arch were attempting to treat the man "and then he got violent."
The Tidewater EMS Council creates regional medical protocols that include procedures for combative patients and restraints. The procedure for combative patients says paramedics should consider whether restraints "will interfere with necessary patient care activities or will cause further harm."
The procedure also says sedatives may be used for safe transport of a violently combative patient. Guidelines for restraining patients who exhibit dangerous behavior say patients should be restrained face up on a backboard, which should be secured on a stretcher.
Norfolk police policy says all prisoners must be restrained, including those who are sick, injured or mentally ill. Policy says restrained prisoners should be rolled on their side or put in a seated position.
A police officer has been placed on administrative duty during the investigation.
Copyright 2012 - The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.
