Brasstown – A man died after the vehicle he was riding in was stopped by local law enforcement officials and he ingested something on Jan. 2.
At about 3:10 p.m., Clay County sheriff’s Investigator Nick Queen, Investigator Steven Smith, Cherokee County Lt. Drew Payne and Cherokee County Agent Parker Morgan arrived at a driveway entrance where a vehicle had abruptly stopped at 9102 Old Highway 64. The driver of this vehicle was immediately recognized and known to have had a suspended license, according to a release.
The officers began conducting field interviews with the three occupants of the vehicle. One of the three occupants was William Monroe Turner, 64, of Hayesville.
A smoking device, consistent with the use of methamphetamine, was recovered from the person of a woman passenger. A set of digital scales, often used when weighing controlled substances, was also located within the car, according to the release.
While standing outside of the vehicle, Turner was seen trying to swallow something that was believed to have been evidence. Officers attempted to remove the item from within Turner’s mouth.
After a brief struggle and onto the ground, Turner was briefly Tased without the use of the projectile components. Turner was then handcuffed and stood up without issue, according to the release.
Shortly thereafter, Turner was seen going into medical distress. Officers immediately performed the Heimlich Maneuver and CPR on Turner, and two doses of Narcan were also admin- istered. Lifesaving measures continued Emergency Medical Services arrived.
Turner was subsequently taken to Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital in Peachtree, where he was pronounced dead.
During a follow-up examination of Turner, it was found that he had ingested a plastic bag, according to the release.
Due to Turner having gone into medical distress while engaging with law enforcement officers, the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation was called.
The SBI was specifically called to conduct a complete investigation independent of the Clay and Cherokee county sheriff’s offices.