Jail inmate Dies At Hospital: Contra Costa Co. Sheriff's Office

MARTINEZ, CA — A 61-year-old Contra Costa County jail inmate died Thursday at a local hospital, a spokesperson for the Office of the Sheriff said Friday. The death of Samuel Martinez, a Brentwood resident incarcerated by the county for over 10 months, reportedly came after he suffered multiple seizures Tuesday, Dec. 24 at the West County Detention Center in Martinez.

The day of the seizures, Martinez was rushed to Kaiser Permanente Richmond Medical Center, sheriff's Spokesman Jimmy Lee said.

Christmas Day — Wednesday, Dec. 25 — Martinez was transferred by ambulance from Kaiser Richmond to Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez.

Martinez was admitted to CCRMC and stayed overnight. The following day, Thursday, Dec. 26, medical staff cleared Martinez for release from the hospital.

But at 6:40 p.m., while still inside the hospital, Martinez apparently suffered a medical emergency and collapsed, Lee said.

Hospital staff administered CPR but their efforts were not successful, Lee said.

Martinez was pronounced deceased at 7:08 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26.

The in-custody death is being investigated by personnel with the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office and the Office of the Sheriff.

Martinez had been in county jail since his arrest Feb. 8 by the Office of the Sheriff for suspected felony elderly abuse and felony arson, according to Lee.