Authorities to Investigate Coralville Police After Out of Control Man Dies After Arrest #Coralville

From the Johnson County Attorney's Office

On July 22, 2013 at approximately 3:45 p.m., employees from a business in the 2400 block of 2nd Street, Coralville called 911 for a report of a man acting very violently and destroying property at the business.

The employees had moved sharp utensils in the business to a secure location due to concerns about the man’s behavior and fear he would use the utensils to harm people.

Officers from the Coralville Police Department responded to the business et approximately 3:47 p.m. Upon arrival of the officers, employees of the business pointed out the man causing the disturbance.

The man was subsequently identified by the police by his drivers license as Thomas Martinez, Jr., 5773 Broadway Avenue, Apache Junction, Arizona. The officers were able to calm Mr.Martinez somewhat, but could see he was sweating profusely and appeared to have mini-seizures as they were dealing with him. His eyes were dilated and he was not speaking coherently.

The officers requested the Johnson County Ambulance Service respond as they believed Mr. Martinez was experiencing medical problems. Ambulance staff arrived and attempted to speak to Mr. Martinez. lVlr. Martinez became violent and was flailing at officers and paramedics and struck an officer. Officers used a taser to attempt to subdue Ml, Martinez. He continued to be violent and strike out at officers after the use of the taser. 

Mr. Martinez calmed down sufficiently after the taser was activated a second time to allow paramedics to administer a medication to him. As he was being loaded on to the stretcher to transport him to the hospital, Mr. Martinez stopped breathing.

The paramedics began CPR and upon administration of another medication, he began breathing again and was transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He subsequently died on the evening of July 23, 2013 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Reports indicated that before entering the business on July 22, 2013, he may have consumed multiple drugs.

The Coralville Police Department contacted the Johnson County Attorneys Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal investigation on the afternoon of July 22, 2013 per protocol. The Johnson County Attorneys Office and agents from the Division of Criminal investigation began their investigation then. 

An autopsy is being performed by a Deputy State Medical Examiner to determine the cause of death of Mr. Martinez. Laboratory analysis will also be completed.

The investigation is ongoing. Any further information will be released by this office as further developments Warrant.