Father of two who spent three days in an Azusa police car died of extreme heat, officials say - BERITAJA

A 37-year-old begetter of 2 who was recovered wrong a constabulary patrol conveyance extracurricular the Azusa Police Department successful March died from utmost heat, according to authorities.

Eric Valencia’s decease was ruled arsenic accidental and his origin of decease was listed arsenic hyperthermia, according to the Los Angeles County aesculapian examiner.

Valencia’s family has called for an investigation to find why constabulary did not cheque the parked patrol conveyance astatine the Azusa constabulary installation and whether Valencia was successful a unchangeable information erstwhile he was released aft his apprehension connected suspicion of driving nether the influence.

“If it was hyperthermia that caused Eric’s death, it’s highly sad to perceive that Eric suffered tremendously successful the backmost of that Azusa constabulary section patrol car for 3 days earlier he died,” Michael Carrillo, an lawyer for Valencia’s family, said successful a statement.

“Eric’s family is still grieving this nonaccomplishment and they are shocked and saddened by this finding,” according to the statement. “This could person been prevented by the elemental task of locking the patrol car aliases looking wrong it. We besides statement that the autopsy did not see a toxicology screening. We will beryllium investigating why that is, because it leaves important unanswered questions that request to beryllium addressed.”

Surveillance video provided by constabulary shows Valencia aft he’s released from jailhouse about 1 p.m. March 23, according to KABC. He could beryllium seen stepping up to a parked patrol conveyance extracurricular the station, getting into the backmost and shutting the doorway down him. Law enforcement vehicles typically cannot beryllium unlocked from the backmost seats.

Valencia had been arrested connected suspicion of driving nether the power and kid endangerment connected March 20 and held complete the play earlier being released, said Azusa Police Chief Rocky Wenrick astatine a news conference.

“Mr. Valencia was released from custody pinch nary evident signs of distress,” Wenrick said during the conference, according to KABC. “Surveillance video shows Mr. Valencia unlawfully entering the rear spot area of patrol portion 37.”

Valencia was initially pulled complete for driving without his car’s headlights on, and constabulary suspected he was nether the influence, saying he had watery, bloodshot eyes and the car smelled of alcohol, Wenrick told Fox during an interview.

Two children, ages 3 and 11, were successful the car pinch Valencia, Wenrick added. Valencia had a humor intoxicant level doubly the ineligible limit during his arrest.

Valencia was freed connected March 23 and fixed his property, cellphone and food, according to Wenrick. His assemblage was recovered wrong the unlocked SUV 3 days later erstwhile Wenrick told the fleet attraction unit to return the patrol cars to beryllium washed.

Valencia’s cellphone was recovered successful moving order, and he ne'er called 911 for help, according to Wenrick.

Officials explained that out-of-service vehicles are often parked for days aliases weeks while awaiting instrumentality installation.

“We’re gonna do our champion successful the investigation to fig retired why Mr. Valencia walked retired and sewage successful the vehicle,” Wenrick said. “Hopefully we’ll beryllium capable to supply closure to the family and for our ain liking of knowing why that determination was made and why he did what he did.”