February 09, 2012

SF man's death cause by meth, not arresting officers

Coroner: The October death of Darnell Hutchinson was the result of acute methamphetamine intoxication, consistent with a person who abused drugs

By Henry K. Lee
The San Francisco Chronicle

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. — An Oakland man who died after struggling with San Leandro police while being arrested had ingested a lethal dose of methamphetamine, authorities said Tuesday.

The October death of Darnell Hutchinson was the result of acute methamphetamine intoxication, consistent with a person who abused drugs, said San Leandro police Lt. Jeff Tudor, citing an Alameda County coroner's report.

Hutchinson, 32, had been acting paranoid and scaring customers at the Nation's Giant Hamburger restaurant at 1335 Washington Ave. late the night of Oct. 9, police said.

Employees called police after Hutchinson refused to leave, Tudor said. Officers tried to take him into protective custody, but he became "physically combative," Tudor said.

An officer shot Hutchinson with his Taser shock weapon, but it had little or no effect, police said. Four officers finally managed to handcuff him, police said.

Hutchinson immediately began showing signs of distress. He died at a hospital.

An internal investigation determined that the officers had acted appropriately, Tudor said.