The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) has requested the assistance of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate an in-custody death following an alleged DUI stop near the Colorado/New Mexico border in the morning hours of Wednesday, September 30, 2020.
A CSP sergeant contacted the driver of a Ford Crown Victoria on suspicion of driving under the influence at mile marker 0 at the CDOT pullout on I-25 just before 6:30 a.m.
Following an investigation by the CSP sergeant during the traffic stop, a 66-year-old New Mexico man was placed into custody without incident and seated upright in the back passenger seat to be taken to the Las Animas County Jail.
While en route to the county jail, the sergeant pulled over at mile marker 13 to check on the suspect. The sergeant immediately contacted emergency personnel to respond to the scene and initiated CPR when it was discovered the suspect was not breathing.
Paramedics transported the New Mexico man to Mt. San Rafael Hospital in Trinidad, where he was pronounced deceased.
The name of the man is not being released until family notifications are made by the Las Animas County Coroner's Office.
CBI agents are on-scene and investigating the incident.
Per standard agency policy and procedure, the sergeant has been placed on Administrative Leave.