FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) - Fort Smith police say there are no indications the death of a man in their custody was caused by officers.
State police said Friday that 51-year-old Darrell K. Hays II died that morning after local police brought him to Sebastian County Detention Center to be booked into jail.
According to authorities, officers stopped a car before 1 a.m. Friday for a traffic violation. They arrested Hays, who was a passenger, on an outstanding warrant and for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police said Hays began to show signs of “medical distress” after being transported to jail. Emergency personnel took Hays to a local hospital where he then died.
The Fort Smith department said a state investigation has begun and two involved officers were placed on administrative leave pending its results.
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