By Associated Press
Mobile, AL – A 27-year-old Mobile County man described as suffering an apparent drug overdose has died after being struck by a deputy's Taser.
Brandon Smiley died Wednesday night, a sheriff's spokeswoman said. A deputy had used a Taser on Smiley when he allegedly became violent with an ambulance crew.
Sheriff's spokeswoman Kate Johnson said Smiley's family had called an ambulance to their home in Wilmer shortly after 9 p.m. because Smiley was "repeatedly using narcotics."
It was reported to emergency personnel and deputies on scene that Smiley had been on a three-day methamphetamine binge, Johnson said in a statement.
Smiley was flailing his arms, acting in a state of hysteria. Smiley had forced his way into the ambulance and had pinned the driver against the driver's side door.
The deputy discharged his Taser once, striking Smiley.
After being handcuffed, Smiley stopped breathing and ambulance attendants then began to render aid in an attempt to revive Smiley.
An emergency helicopter airlifted Smiley to Providence Hospital, where he died.
In the statement, Sheriff Sam Cochran said based on initial information "we believe the deputy on scene used the appropriate level of force and in doing so, was able to ensure the safety of those around him."
The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences said Thursday that the manner of death and cause of death had not been determined.
Tasers are electrical stun guns that shoot 50,000 volts of electricity through a person's body, overriding the central nervous system and immobilizing the suspect.