Augusta County Sheriff Donald Smith has requested the Virginia State Police to investigate a fatal medical emergency experienced by an Augusta County resident while being taken into custody by sheriff’s deputies Friday morning (Sept. 2, 2016).
At 8:52 a.m., Friday, the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a residence in the 100 block of Turk Mountain Road. The caller reported a male subject was experiencing a severe reaction to prescription medication.
When Augusta County Deputies arrived at the residence, they encountered Donnie Layne Robertson, age 54, gesticulating wildly. Robertson refused to comply with the deputies’ commands to calm down. Robertson then charged at the deputies, stopped, and finally retreated. While retreating, Robertson slipped and fell to the ground on his own accord.
Robertson continued to be combative as the deputies attempted to take him into custody. Robertson was finally handcuffed, at which time the deputies noticed him suffering a medical emergency. The handcuffs were immediately removed and deputies began administering CPR until a rescue squad arrived on scene. Robertson was transferred to Augusta Health, where he passed away Monday (Sept. 5th).
“Because the medical emergency occurred as my deputies were taking the male subject into custody, I want to be certain the incident is thoroughly investigated by an objective, independent law enforcement agency so there is no question as to what happened at the residence during this encounter,” said Sheriff Donald L. Smith. The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office offers our condolences to the family.
The incident remains under investigation by the Virginia State Police.
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Chris Graham
