WACO, TX — A man died while in Waco Police Department custody Tuesday after authorities say he swallowed a plastic bag believed to have been filled with an illegal substance.
Waco PD says around 2:59 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of Webster Avenue.
After approaching the vehicle, one of the officers saw what they believed to be illegal narcotics in plain view inside the vehicle. The officer then asked the driver to exit the vehicle. Authorities say he was handcuffed without incident.
During this time, the driver had a medical episode. Officers immediately began providing medical attention and called for AMR Ambulance Service and Waco Fire.
The man was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
During the investigation, it was found that the driver had swallowed a large plastic bag containing what is believed to be an illegal substance. The bag was recovered by medical personnel at the hospital.
The driver has been identified as 55-year-old Leroy Jackson, Jr. of Waco.
The in-custody death will be investigated by the Waco PD Special Crimes Unit and the Texas Rangers. The officers involved are on administrative leave, which is standard departmental procedures.
