Texas Family Sues Deputies For Excessive Force After Allegedly Breaking Jorge Gonzalez Zuniga’s Neck, Then Leaving Him Alone For 21+ Hours

EDINBURG, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) – There’s no query Jorge Gonzalez Zuniga had an excessive amount of to drink on April 12, however precisely how his neck was damaged whereas within the custody of the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Workplace and why he didn’t obtain medical therapy for almost 24 hours is being disputed.

Zuniga died months later and now his household is suing 4 sheriff’s deputies, alleging they crushed a vertebra in his neck and failed to supply correct medical care, resulting in his demise.

Zuniga was 22-years-old when he was arrested and charged with violating an emergency administration plan, public intoxication, and resisting arrest, search and transport, in keeping with Hidalgo County Jail information.

In response to the criticism filed by Zuniga’s household attorneys, he had attended a pal’s celebration and was asleep on the pal’s garden when deputies arrived to research an altercation.

When the deputies found Zuniga didn’t stay on the residence, they informed him to go residence however then determined to arrest him, the criticism stated.

He was tased a number of instances throughout the arrest, pushed to the bottom and had his neck crushed, in keeping with the criticism.

Reserving photographs of Zuniga obtained from Hidalgo County Jail information present two gloved palms reaching in from out of body to carry Zuniga’s head upright.

(credit score: Hidalgo County Jail)

In response to the criticism, Zuniga was in his cell for greater than 21 hours with none medical consideration.

“Regardless of the plain accidents, together with a big swollen neck, cuts and contusions, the jail officers acted with deliberate indifference and at no time despatched Mr. Zuniga for medical analysis or therapy,” the criticism stated.

A day after his arrest, Zuniga was taken to a hospital the place he was recognized with a extreme cervical fracture, a swollen spinal wire and was a recognized as a quadriplegic, in keeping with the criticism.

Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Workplace wouldn’t touch upon the lawsuit.

Sheriff’s Workplace Mentioned Spinal Accidents Have been Not Observed As a result of Of Intoxication Stage

On September 14, the sheriff’s workplace stated in a press release, “The day after the arrest, the Sheriff’s Workplace requested an impartial investigation by the Texas Division of Public Security. A Texas Ranger was assigned to the investigation. The Workplace cooperated absolutely with the Ranger’s investigation, made all information obtainable for his evaluate, and supplied entry to every concerned individual for interview.”

The sheriff’s workplace additionally disputed the declare that Zuniga didn’t obtain medical consideration. In a press release from the Sheriff’s workplace they stated, “Mr. Zuniga refused to cooperate and have become bodily agitated, verbally abusive, and strongly resisted efforts to be taken into custody. Pepper Spray, Tasers, and three deputies had been required to perform his bodily restraint and placement into the backseat of the police cruiser.”

“As he was positioned into the automobile, he made a number of statements claiming that he had been damage within the course of,” learn the assertion.

“As soon as within the jail, Mr. Zuniga was seen by a nurse, however due to his superior state of intoxication, his spinal accidents weren’t found till many hours later that day. As quickly as jail personnel realized he was significantly injured, an ambulance was referred to as, and he was transported to the hospital for therapy,” the assertion stated.

(credit score: Zuniga Household)

The fees towards Zuniga had been in the end dropped and dismissed, in keeping with the criticism.

Within the following weeks after his launch, Mr. Zuniga suffered a number of problems arising from his accidents, in keeping with the criticism.

“On or about July eight, 2020, Mr. Zuniga suffered a coronary heart assault and died on July 15, 2020. Jorge Zuniga’s explanation for demise was listed as acute on persistent respiratory failure. Mr. Zuniga’s demise was the direct penalties of the injures and the shortage of medical care by these Defendants,” the criticism stated.

The household is in search of an unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, in keeping with the criticism.

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