A 34-year-old parolee released from Soledad State Prison two days ago was found in medical distress by California Highway Patrol and CalTrans personnel while serving an eviction notice to occupants of a Ukiah homeless encampment. After attempting life-saving measures, the young man died, and the next-of-kin is awaiting notification.
According to Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office’s Public Information Officer Gregory Van Patten, CHP & CalTrans personnel were serving eviction notices to the tenants of a homeless encampment located along Highway 101 near the Ukiah Jack in the Box. Van Patten said officers noticed the 34-year-old male lying on the ground struggling to breathe. One of the tenants told the officers that the man had ingested a significant amount of heroin moments before, reported Van Patten. At this point, officers attempted to administer three doses of Narcan, a medication used to counteract an opioid overdose’s effects. Van Patten described those life-saving efforts as unsuccessful.
Van Patten said the cause of death must still be verified, but all signs point towards a drug overdose. He described drug paraphernalia being found close to the 34-year-old decedent.
Regarding the decedent’s recent release from state prison, Van Patten said he was on state parole versus county led Post Release Community Supervision. If he had been on PRCS, Van Patten said the parolee would have been provided a hotel room for 14 days as per recent COVID-19 prisoner release protocols.
Van Patten said MCSO’s investigation has yet to determine whether the individual was part of California’s COVID-19 prisoner release program but did say the decedent had a letter on his person that said before being released, he tested negative for the virus.
Oh bummer….NOT….couldn’t wait to dabble in some drugs and it cost you your life.
he was a human being – are you?
He was a felon, and as soon as he gets out he OD’s…yes I am but each person makes their own choices. He made his and he’s dead. I have no sympathy for CRIMINALS.
Overdose and crime are by products of American prison industry. We close our library, we close our university’s but the Department of Justice remains the nations largest employer. When putting a natural plant product into your body is a crime, one that costs taxpayers about$80,000 per year per prisoner, is normal? Use alcohol or opiate and you are an addict, use pharmaceutical poison and you are compliance
VA is no longer supplying veterans with pain meds but they always ask, “what is your pain level?” Even dying cancer patients are refused opiates now.
Or? Build more prisons! .