FDL Man Who Died in Police Custody Ingested Cocaine, Report Says

Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney says there
is no basis for any criminal charges to be filed against Fond du Lac Police
Officers in the death of a Fond du Lac man in December. Christopher L. Cary
died at the hospital the night of December 23rd after showing signs
of medical distress in the back of a squad car. Investigation showed Cary was pulled
over in a traffic stop – and was ultimately arrested for possession of cocaine,
possession of drug paraphernalia, obstructing an officer and felony bail
jumping. A statement from the DA’s office says “The death of Mr. Cary occurred
through his voluntary ingestion of Cocaine during a lawful traffic stop and
arrest.”  Reports show that Cary died
from “acute cocaine toxicity” related to ingesting the cocaine, and did not
tell police or medical professionals he had ingested the drug. Toney wrote that
officers acted appropriately during the traffic stop and in calling for medical
assistance when Cary went into distress.


The Sheboygan Police Department handled the investigation
into the case. You can read a full summary of their investigation, the District Attorney’s Summary and a statement from Police Chief Bill Lamb here