East Harlem Man Died Accidentally In NYPD Custody, City Rules

EAST HARLEM, NY — The death of an East Harlem man who died after being taken into police custody in his apartment building was ruled an accidental overdose, the city medical examiner's office said.

Edwin Garcia died May 27 after he was arrested by police in his East 116th Street apartment for getting into a fight with a roommate, officials said. The city medical examiner ruled the death an accident caused by "acute cocaine intoxication."

The ruling didn't sit right with Garcia's family, who told the Daily News that the father of three worked a demanding schedule to send money back to his family in El Salvador.

"I can’t believe that," said Garcia’s uncle Adan Lovato. "He was always working. I cannot believe he was doing that kind of stuff."

At least seven police officers restrained Garcia by tackling him to the floor of a hallway in his apartment building, the Daily News reported. While Garcia was being restrained by police for about 30 minutes he passed out, which prompted EMTs on scene to begin administering CPR, according to the report.

Garcia was taken to Metropolitan Hospital where he was pronounced dead, officials said.

Read the full Daily News report here.

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