The death of a man who died while in the custody of Richmond police has been ruled an accident by a Contra Costa County coroner's jury.
For more, stream KCBS Radio now.
Ivan Gutzalenko, 47, passed away on March 10, 2021 after officers responded to a report of a man damaging property inside a business in the 12600 block of San Pablo Ave.
When authorities arrived at the scene they found Gutzalenko in what appeared to be medical distress or under the influence of drugs, stumbling and falling to the ground, the Richmond Police Department reported.
Gutzalenko was placed in a prone position while an officer put his knee on the 47-year-old's lower back to handcuff him. Police said Gutzaleno was then placed on a gurney and taken to a hospital where he died.
A coroner's inquest was conducted last Thursday where a jury heard testimony from witnesses. Jury members chose from four different cause of death possibilities including, accident, suicide, natural causes or at the hands of another person, other than by accident. They ruled the death was an accident.
Despite the inquest's findings, the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office confirmed Monday an independent investigation into Gutzalenko's death is still underway, as is protocol for all in-custody deaths.
KCBS Radio has reached out to the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office for comment on the investigation, but has not yet heard back.
LISTEN to KCBS Radio
FAVORITE KCBS Radio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Related
