Autopsy Reveals Cause Of Death For Man In Joliet Police Custody

JOLIET — Members of the Joliet Police Department have been absolved of wrongdoing in connection with the early Christmas morning death of 39-year-old Crest Hill resident David "Junior" Malito at the Joliet Shell gas station at Larkin Avenue and McDonough Street. The circumstances leading up to Malito's death were considered bizarre and unusual, according to the police.

Plainfield Police Commander Kevin McQuaid told Joliet Patch that none of the three Joliet officers at the scene at the Shell gas station did anything inappropriate in regard to the events that led to the death of Malito. The Will County Coroner's Office performed an autopsy, and its findings showed that Malito died as a result of an accidental cocaine intoxication, McQuaid explained.

None of the Joliet police officers who were called to the Shell gas station in the middle of the night to deal with Malito had any role in roughing him up or pushing him to the ground, McQuaid pointed out.

Joliet police explained back in December that Malito had called 911 from the Shell gas station; he ran there after crashing his car into a fence a few blocks away, and he was claiming that someone was chasing after him trying to kill him.

Joliet police said that Malito's account of being chased by someone wanting to kill him was completely untrue, and McQuaid agreed with that assessment.

"You could tell by his interactions that he was paranoid or in a manic state," McQuaid explained. "It's just an unfortunate situation."

McQuaid said all the events surrounding Malito's death were captured by Shell gas station video surveillance cameras as well as the Joliet police officers' body cameras.

McQuaid said the Joliet police death investigation is now closed at the Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force, where he serves as task force chairman.

Malito died less than 50 minutes after he called 911 after running from his damaged car to the Shell gas station at Larkin Avenue and McDonough Street. After Joliet officers responded to the Shell station, Malito fell to the ground, according to the Joliet police department.

As the officers tried to speak to Malito, he exhibited erratic behavior and was making irrational statements, Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said back in December.

According to English, to ensure Malito's safety and the safety of those around him, the officers tried to detain him, and they requested an ambulance for a medical evaluation.

However, Malito continued to yell, act erratically and struggle with the officers, according to police. He was detained in handcuffs after he fell to the ground after pulling away from the officers, English said.

Laurie Summers, the Will County coroner, said Malito was pronounced dead at 5:14 a.m. at Ascension St. Joseph's Medical Center in Joliet, which is just a couple of miles away from the Shell station.

The Delgado Funeral Chapel on Joliet's east side handled the funeral arrangements for Malito.

According to his obituary, "Junior shared an incredibly close bond with his twin brother and best friend, Anthony. Junior was a proud 179 teamster and worked for Con Global. He took pride in being a hard worker like his father and would always look forward to early morning conversations with his dad before starting his workday ... He always dressed nice and enjoyed looking as good as he felt. His smile and laughter was contagious. Junior will be deeply missed by all blessed to have known him."