This press release is a summary of the facts known at this time, as this incident is actively being investigated. The information contained in this press release is subject to change. Additional details will be released as they become available.

On Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at approximately 1:39 a.m., a uniformed Sacramento Police Department (SPD) officer driving a marked police vehicle, was in the area of Plover Street and Glenrose Avenue. The officer observed a red truck travelling eastbound on Glenrose Avenue fail to make a complete stop for the stop sign, at Plover Street. The officer followed behind the vehicle to conduct an enforcement stop. Before the officer could initiate an enforcement stop, the truck pulled into a nearby driveway in the 1800 block of Glenrose Avenue.

As the officer approached the truck, the driver had already stepped out and was standing next to the driver’s side door. The officer contacted the driver and asked him for his driver’s license. The driver indicated he did not have a driver’s license but handed an identification card to the officer. The officer established the driver spoke Spanish with limited English and directed the driver, in Spanish, to sit on the front bumper of his patrol vehicle while he conducted a record check.

At approximately 1:42 a.m., while the officer was running a computer check, he observed the driver collapse and fall to the ground. The officer exited his vehicle to check on the driver’s health and recognized he was having a medical emergency. The officer started to render aid and requested the Sacramento Fire Department (SFD) respond for medical assistance.

Additional officers arrived on scene and assisted with providing first aid. The officers continuously monitored vital signs of the driver until they recognized CPR was necessary. SFD arrived and took over medical care and transported the driver to a local area hospital. Shortly after arrival, the driver was pronounced deceased.

Due to the driver having a medical emergency while detained by the Sacramento Police Department, a death in custody investigation was initiated. Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators responded to the scene. A response and investigation into the incident will also be conducted by the Force Investigation Team. The investigation will focus on policy, tactics, and training as it relates to the use of force. This incident falls under the City Council policy on video release. As a result, the video and audio associated with this incident will be released to the public within 30 days.

The cause of death and identity of the driver will be released by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office once next of kin is notified.

The Sacramento Police Department encourages any witnesses with information regarding this incident to contact the dispatch center at (916) 808-5471 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443 – HELP (4357) or submit an anonymous tip using the free “P3 Tips” smartphone app.