A 54-year-old inmate was stricken by an unidentified medical emergency at San Diego Central Jail over the weekend and died a short time later, authorities reported Monday.
A deputy and a nurse realized that the man needed medical care as they were handing out medication in a housing area at the Front Street detention facility about 10 a.m. Sunday, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
While being taken to medical staffers for an evaluation, the inmate became unresponsive, Lt. Joseph Jarjura said. Paramedics then took the man to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His name was withheld pending family notification.
The county Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the man’s cause of death.
“A sheriff’s family-liaison officer will support the family as they deal with the loss of (their) loved one,” the lieutenant said.
The inmate had been jailed last June on felony warrants stemming from an earlier vandalism arrest. He was believed to be homeless when he was taken into custody, Jarjura said.
City News Service contributed to this article.