Man ingested plastic bag according to sheriff’s release
Clay County resident William Monroe Turner died Jan. 2.
Staff
Report
A local man died Jan. 2 after he apparently attempted to swallow evidence during a traffic stop in Brasstown, according to a release from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
The deceased, William Monroe Turner, 64, of Hayesville, was among three occupants in a car when investigators from Clay and Cherokee counties arrived at a driveway entrance where a vehicle had abruptly stopped.
At abouts 3:10 p.m. Thursday, Clay County Investigators Nick Queen and Steven Smith along with Cherokee County Lt. Drew Payne and Cherokee County Agent Parker Morgan arrived at the scene on Old Hwy 64 in Clay County.
The driver was immediately recognized and known to have had a suspended driver’s license. The officers began conducting field interviews with the three occupants of the vehicle, including Turner.
Officers reported recovering a smoking device consistent with the use of methamphetamine from a female passenger. A set of digital scales often used when weighing controlled substances was also located in the car.
While standing outside the vehicle, Turner was seen trying to swallow something that was believed to have been evidence, according to the release. Officers attempted to remove the item from within Turner’s mouth. After a brief struggle and onto the ground, Turner was briefly Tased without the use of the projectile components, according to the sheriff’s office.
Turner was then handcuffed and stood up without issue. Shortly thereafter he was seen going into medical distress. Officers immediately performed the Heimlich Maneuver and CPR on him. Two doses of Narcan were also administered to Turner.
“Lifesaving measures were continually given to Turner until the arrival of Emergency Medical Services,” according to the report.
Turner was subsequently transported to the Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital where he was pronounced dead. During a follow up examination of Turner, it was found that he had ingested a plastic bag, Sheriff Mark Buchanan confirmed in the release.
Due to Turner having gone into medical distress while engaging with law enforcement officers the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation was called. The SBI was specifically called to conduct a complete investigation independent of the Clay and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Offices.
No services are planned for Turner at this time. See complete obituary A6.