A man suspected of drug possession died Wednesday at a Gillette hospital while in police custody, the city says.
A Gillette Police Department officer stopped a motorcycle for a traffic violation at about 2 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of North Garner Lake and Kluver roads, says a press release the city of Gillette dispatched Thursday morning.
The statement says an investigation and search followed, and the officer arrested the motorcycle driver, Clayton Westover, 62, on suspicion of drug possession.
Authorities started taking Westover to the Campbell County Detention Center at about 2:40 p.m. But on the way, Westover indicated he was feeling ill, says the statement.
They reached the jail at 2:51 p.m., but the officer called for an ambulance. The ambulance arrived at 2:57 and took Westover to the emergency department at Campbell County Health, reportedly.
Personnel pronounced Westover dead at 6:51 p.m., the statement says.
The city’s statement says the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation — a statewide policing agency that routinely investigates incidents involving local police — is investigating.
“No further information will be released until the investigation is complete,” says the statement.
No Signs Of Violence
Preliminary evidence showed no signs of violence, Campbell County Coroner Paul Wallem told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday.
He said Westover’s autopsy is scheduled for Monday morning in Rapid City, South Dakota. But an analysis of what, if any, toxic substances were in Westover’s body will take longer, he added.
State law requires coroners to investigate the deaths of people who die in state custody.
Wallem said even if state law didn’t require an investigation, his policy as coroner is to call for an autopsy when someone dies in police custody.
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
