Adelaido Adrian Diaz Dies After Being in City of Pharr, Texas Police Custody
The City of Pharr Police Department, in Pharr, Texas, filed a custodial death report regarding the death of Adelaido Adrian Diaz. Mr. Diaz was 55 years old at the time of his death. We provide in this post information obtained from that report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone regarding Mr. Diaz’s death.
Mr. Diaz was arrested on April 11, 2021 and passed away the following day. The custodial death report provides very little information regarding Mr. Diaz’s arrest, any medical issues, any observations of him while he was in the jail, or other details as to why Mr. Diaz might have fallen to the floor and suffered a head injury (as referenced below). The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:
“The City of Pharr Police Department is reporting that an individual, Adelaido Adrian Diaz (X/XX/66) was arrested last night for evading police, was declared deceased at McAllen Medical Center hospital this morning. At approximately 11:30 pm Sunday, April 11, 2021, Pharr police patrol unit attempted to perform a traffic stop for a traffic violation. Driver Diaz kept driving and a low-speed pursuit ensued for a few minutes until Diaz eventually pulled over and came to a stop. Diaz was arrested for evading police and transported to the Pharr police department’s holding facility. At approximately 5:54 am, dispatch observed Diaz who was alone and standing, fall to the ground via a video monitor, hitting his head on the ground causing a severe head injury. Jailers immediately responded and called for an ambulance. Diaz was found conscious with an obvious injury to the back of his head. At 6:27 am, the ambulance arrived at the Pharr Police Department. According to police reports, the ambulance arrived at McAllen Medical Center at 6:56 am, where Mr. Diaz was declared deceased. The Texas Rangers are investigating this incident. No further information is available at this time.”
People in Texas jails are entitled to receive from jailers and those in charge of jails reasonable medical care. They are also entitled to be protected from themselves and others. Once again, we are uncertain as to what caused Mr. Diaz to fall to the floor. If, for example, Mr. Diaz was having significant health issues, and they were untreated, this could give rise to a claim that he did not receive constitutionally-required care. However, this is mere speculation without more information about what occurred.
Dean Malone
Dean Malone