Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Rodney Coleman
Age : 50
Gender : Male
Race : Black
Date : 08/11/2021
Location : Bus stop near Park Avenue and Palmdale Road
City : Victorville
County : San Bernardino
State : California
Agency : San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office
Officer(s) :Christopher Wesierski; Christian Contreras
Cause of Death : Physical restraint
Event : Died during arrest
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 08/11/2021, San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a man harassing a woman at a bus stop near Park Avenue and Palmdale Road in Victorville. Deputies contacted 39-year-old Rodney Coleman and attempted to arrest him. During the arrest, Coleman experienced a medical emergency. Deputies requested emergency medical assistance, and Coleman was transported to Desert Valley Hospital, where he died.
Coleman's mother, Willie Baylor, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging deputies Christopher Wesierski and Christian Contreras used excessive force during the arrest by placing Coleman in a prone restraint that restricted his breathing and caused positional asphyxia. The complaint alleged Coleman repeatedly told deputies he could not breathe before losing consciousness. The lawsuit also asserted the deputies failed to intervene and failed to provide timely medical care.
In July 2024, San Bernardino County approved a $250,000 settlement resolving the lawsuit without admitting liability. The settlement ended the federal wrongful-death and civil rights claims brought by Coleman's family.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.vvng.com/victorville-man-arrested-dies-at-hospital-after-medical-emergency/
https://followourcourts.com/san-bernardino-sheriffs-settle-in-death-case-for-250000/
https://www.vvdailypress.com/story/news/2021/08/13/victorville-man-dies-sheriffs-custody-following-unknown-medical-emergency-authorities-say/8131128002/
https://followourcourts.com/2024/07/san-bernardino-sheriffs-settle-in-death-case-for-250000
