TikTok Overdose in Police Car: Trial Details

Oregon Family Sues Coos Bay over Death of man Left in Police Car During Overdose

A family in Oregon filed a wrongful death complaint on August 6 against the city of Coos Bay and three police officers, alleging negligence and purposeful indifference led to the death of 33-year-old Nathan Bradford Smith while he was experiencing a methamphetamine overdose in a police vehicle.

The lawsuit, presented in federal court on Wednesday, alleges that officers ignored clear signs of Smith’s deteriorating condition on July 7, 2024, while he was secured in the back of a patrol car. Simultaneously, one officer reportedly engaged with personal text messages and TikTok videos inside the police station.

According to the complaint, obtained by Oregon, Koin, and KGW, officers Benjamin Martin, Tristan Smith, and Wesley O’Connor failed to provide immediate medical care despite recognizing Smith was suffering a drug overdose. The family is seeking damages for negligence, abuse of a vulnerable person, and “deliberate indifference.” A legal representative for the city of Coos Bay did not immedi

The incident began with a series of encounters with Smith throughout the day. Around 1 p.m., officers responded to a report of Smith causing a disturbance at a local business, issuing a warning that further disruptive behavior would result in arrest.

The final encounter occurred around 5 p.m. at a Motel 6, where witnesses reported a man lying on the sidewalk. Smith, dressed in a heavy coat and rain pants despite the 65-degree weather, was placed under arrest after refusing to comply with officers’ instructions. A state police officer who reviewed body camera footage noted smith’s breathing was “noisy and somewhat laborious.”

The arrest was not without struggle. Smith reportedly had difficulty entering the police vehicle,and witnesses observed his eyes closing during transport. Officer Martin briefly stopped to spray air freshener into the back of the car before continuing to the Coos Bay police station, arriving three minutes later with the vehicle’s windows closed.

Distraction and Delay

While Smith remained unattended in the vehicle, Officer Martin reportedly responded to a text message stating, “I am so ready for the mangoes that I feel that I have not seen you in a week.” He also engaged with TikTok videos during this period.

After an unspecified amount of time, martin discovered Smith unconscious in the car. Body camera footage showed Smith exhibiting “strange” breathing patterns and his head slumping. Martin administered Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, and paramedics were called.

Paramedics arrived at 5:24 p.m. to find Smith’s body temperature had reached a critical 107 degrees. He was rushed to a regional hospital, where he suffered cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at 6:25 p.m.

According to the lawsuit, “If the police had taken Mr. Smith directly to the hospital… or would have called an ambulance at the scene, emergency services would have had more than 40 minutes to stabilize Mr. Smith before the time he suffered a cardiac arrest.”

Inquiry and Aftermath

The state police investigation into the incident did not result in criminal charges. However, a prosecutor involved in the case stated that the 40-minute delay in providing medical attention was a critical factor in Smith’s death.”When these officers found him, he clearly showed the signs of medical anguish… his temperature was 107. he was hyperthermic and was going to die. And sadly, he did,” the prosecutor said.

Another official added, “I think at least one of these officers had known him before during the day and understood that he used substances at that time and that he was probably faced with mental and physical health problems at that time. he had the opportunity at that time to be taken to the hospital, which was a mile away, and instead, he was placed on the back of a police car.”

Kurt Smith, Nathan’s father, told The Oregonian that he learned of his son’s death from police arriving at his workplace, with no initial details provided. He later discovered the cause of death from the funeral home. “He did not deserve to let him die,” the father stated.

Anyone struggling with drug addiction can reach the SAMHSA assistance line at 1-800-662-HELP.