TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - The Pima County Medical Examiner has confirmed that a Tucson man that died at a south side car wash did not die of excessive force used by deputies, as this was questioned at the time.
34-year-old Jose Hernandez died at a local hospital after a Pima County deputy found him slumped over the steering wheel of his car and in medical distress in November 2015. Drexel Heights Fire Department responded, and as Hernandez was being treated, he became aggressive and ran away. When deputies apprehended him and brought him back to the patrol car, he collapsed.
Dr. Greg Hess has confirmed with KGUN9 that Hernandez official cause of death is acute intoxication due to the combined affects of methamphetamine, cocaine and methadone.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said in November "Was this an overdose? Was it a medical issue from some existing heart problems? Or did the deputies in there take down cause significant injuries that caused death? I don't believe that's the case, but we'll let the medical examiners case decide that."
