Oregon Police Officer Accused of Negligence in Man's Death While Scrolling TikTok

Negligence in Overdose Case

• 🚨 A federal lawsuit alleges an Oregon police officer left a handcuffed man, Nathan Bradford Smith, suffering a methamphetamine overdose in a patrol car.
• 📱 Instead of seeking immediate medical attention, the officer allegedly went inside the police station to scroll through TikTok and send intimate text messages.
• 🌡️ Smith's body temperature reached 107.3°F while unattended in the patrol car, contributing to his death from hypothermia and methamphetamine intoxication.

Lawsuit Allegations

• ⚖️ The family of Nathan Bradford Smith filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Coos Bay, Oregon police, citing negligence, abuse of a vulnerable person, and deliberate indifference.
• ⏳ A total of 40 minutes elapsed between Smith's arrest and his cardiac arrest, with 8 minutes spent unattended in the patrol car.
• 👨‍⚖️ The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, arguing officers were indifferent to Smith's serious medical needs.

Officer's Defense and Circumstances

• 🚗 The officer claimed he left Smith in the car to call another officer due to a shift change and to ask a sergeant about writing a probable cause affidavit.
• 💨 The officer stated the patrol car's air conditioning was running, but the rear windows were not working correctly.
• 👨‍ Son's father reported that police initially failed to share the circumstances of his son's death, only learning the cause of death later.

Discussion on Police Conduct

• 💬 The discussion highlights the perceived indifference and lack of value placed on the life of a drug user by law enforcement.
• 🚫 It is noted that no criminal charges have been filed against the officers involved, raising questions about accountability in this jurisdiction.
• 🗣️ The presenters emphasize that regardless of the officer's personal activities, the primary failure was the delay in providing critical medical assistance.