TEXARKANA, Texas - The Texas Rangers are investigating the death of an inmate early Monday in the Bi-State jail.
Texas Ranger Josh Mason is investigating the death of inmate Michael Haywood, said Capt. Jeff Neal, chief deputy of the Bowie County Sheriff's Office. The investigation is ongoing.
Bowie County Deputies Zach Kennington and Lt. Curtis Cole were dispatched about 3:06 a.m. Monday to a prowler in the 300 block of County Road 2002 in New Boston, Texas.
The call was changed to a disturbance while the deputies were still on their way and the suspect was identified as Michael Haywood. When deputies arrived on the scene, the caller told Kennington that Haywood had been offered a ride home but had refused. The caller also said Haywood had allegedly been drinking alcohol and allegedly suffered from mental illness.
Haywood allegedly accepted a ride home from Kennington but during the ride home, he allegedly became erratic and refused to get out of the vehicle at his home, Neal said.
Haywood allegedly broke the door handle off the patrol car while trying to keep the door closed and was arrested on a charge of criminal mischief.
Kennington decided to transport Haywood to jail unrestrained to keep him from any further confrontation due to his mental state. However, on the drive to the jail, Haywood became more belligerent and began attempting to get out of the vehicle while it was moving.
Kennington requested assistance and pulled over to secure Haywood. Haywood was still uncooperative and had to be placed in hand and leg restraints. He was then taken to Bi-State jail.
A short time later, Kennington was told that Haywood was unresponsive in the jail and that CPR was being performed in him And that LifeNet had been called.
However, none of these efforts were successful and Haywood was pronounced dead, Neal said.
Neal said the BCSO would not be able to release any more information as the death is being investigated by the Texas Rangers.