Crime & Safety

Man Dies During Jail Booking Process

The 59-year-old had been arrested by the California Highway Patrol.

A man suffered a medical emergency and died as he was being booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail on Saturday morning, the Sheriff's Office reported.

Rickey Pritchard, 59, had been arrested by the California Highway Patrol and was awaiting processing at the jail on Water Street in Santa Cruz when he collapsed around 6:38 a.m., according to Lt. Jeremy Verinsky, who works at the jail.

The jail's on-site medical staff and correctional officers attempted unsuccessful resuscitation efforts on Pritchard, and fire and medics were called to the jail, Verinsky reported..

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The Coroner's Office is investigating the death and an autopsy will be performed.

The Sheriff's Office, which administers the county jail system, did not released what Pritchard had been arrested for or where he lived.

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His death is the second at the County Jail in recent months. A woman who was in custody died of natural causes during the summer.


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