Death Of Man In Protective Custody Investigated By FL State Police

BRADENTON, FL — The death of a man taken into protective custody early Saturday morning is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Investigators received a 911 call around 3:30 a.m. from 51-year-old Todd Donahue, who said he was on 1st Street and “the cartel” was chasing him, Bradenton police said in a news release.

In a separate 911 call, a witness said that Donahue was at the Wawa gas station at 701 1st Street E. and “acting erratically,” police said.

Officers who responded to Wawa decided that “Donahue’s behavior met the criteria for the Florida Baker Act and he should be taken into protective custody,” investigators said.

Though Donahue resisted, officers were able to detain him.

He was brought to Manatee Memorial Hospital by emergency responders to be evaluated and to have a laceration treated.

On his way to the hospital, he became unresponsive and died at the hospital, police said.

The FDLE will take the lead on Donahue’s death investigation, per Bradenton Police Department policy.

After the investigation, BPD will conduct an internal investigation into the involved officers’ actions.

Detectives notified Donahue’s next of kin of his death. No additional information is available until the autopsy results are in.

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