Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against Santa Barbara County Sheriff After an In-Custody Fatality
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The family of a deceased California man filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Santa Barbara County Sheriff, alleging negligence and misconduct leading to a tragic in-custody death.
The Case: San Juana Rodriguez-Gonzalez et al. v. County of Santa Barbara et al.
The Court: Los Angeles Federal Court
The Case No.: 2:24-cv-04685
The Plaintiff: San Juana Rodriguez-Gonzalez et al. v. County of Santa Barbara et al.
The Decedent's family filed a lawsuit in Federal Court in Los Angeles against the Santa Barbara County Sheriff (and others) after the in-custody death of their son, Luis Duron. The wrongful death lawsuit was filed on June 5, 2024.
The Incident: San Juana Rodriguez-Gonzalez et al. v. County of Santa Barbara et al.
According to court documents, the Decedent, Luis Enrique Duron-Rodriguez, was pursued for excessive speed by Santa Barbara Sheriff Deputies on August 31, 2023, around 6:16 am on Hollister Avenue. Duron-Rodriguez drove his Infinity vehicle until it collided with a parked vehicle before he struck a tree. The collision resulted in notable front-end damage, resulting in deployed airbags. Santa Barbara's fire department responded to the scene. Duron-Rodriguez was transported from the scene of the collision to Goleta Cottage Hospital, where he was evaluated before medical staff released him for booking.
Court Records Indicate A Problem became apparent soon after booking
According to documentation of the incident, Duron-Rodriguez was booked for:
1) suspicion of driving under the influence, resulting in injury
2) reckless driving, and
3) hit and run with injuries.
The court records also indicate that the Decedent was not immediately placed on alcohol withdrawal syndrome protocol. The following day, Duron-Rodriguez appeared confused and disoriented. On September 2, 2023, Duron-Rodriguez was found unresponsive in his Santa Barbara County jail cell. Medical staff began life-saving measures, including CPR and placement of an AED, and transported Duron-Rodriguez back to Cottage Hospital. However, he died at the hospital.
Plaintiffs Claim Negligence in Santa Barbara In-Custody Death
In this case, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff (along with other implicated parties) faces accusations of negligence surrounding the in-custody death of Duron-Rodriguez. The family of Duron-Rodriguez specifically claims that medical personnel at the Santa Barbara County Jail did not administer essential care for his injuries resulting from a collision and for symptoms related to substance withdrawal syndrome.
If you have questions about filing a California wage and hour class action lawsuit, please contact Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik DeBlouw LLP. Knowledgeable wrongful death attorneys are ready to assist you in various law firm offices in Riverside, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
