Columbia County, WI – An independent investigation is underway after a 56-year-old Beaver Dam-area man died in the Columbia County Jail hours after he was arrested during an early-morning traffic stop, authorities announced.
According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 1:17 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, when a sheriff’s deputy assisted a Columbus police officer with a traffic stop. Officers reported seeing a suspicious vehicle with multiple traffic violations and damage consistent with a possible crash.
Police suspected the driver was impaired and arrested him for alleged impaired driving. Authorities said controlled substances were also found on the man.
The Sheriff’s Office said the man became uncooperative and complained of overheating, prompting EMS to take him to a hospital. After approximately four hours of examination and testing, he was medically cleared and released back to police.
He arrived at the Columbia County Jail around 5:36 a.m. Authorities said he remained resistive during booking and was placed in a safety restraint chair in a cell by himself.
Jail medical staff checked the man around 8 a.m. and reported no medical issues. A deputy observed him moving at approximately 8:07 a.m., but another check at 8:14 a.m. found him unresponsive, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies began CPR, and EMS responded. The man was ultimately pronounced dead.
Authorities said surveillance footage showed no one entering his cell between 8:04 and 8:14 a.m.
Because the death occurred in custody, the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an independent investigation under Wisconsin law. The Columbia County medical examiner and district attorney were also notified.
An autopsy was conducted Friday, Aug. 14, at University of Wisconsin Hospital. Officials said the cause of death remains pending toxicology results.
