Crime & Safety
UPDATE: Man Dies After Hazelwood Police Arrest Goes Awry
Police say Antonio Johnson was intoxicated and resisted arrest. His family says he was beaten. Police did admit a Taser-brand stun gun was used to subdue him.
A man who was in critical condition following an incident with Hazelwood police officers Tuesday night has died, a hospital spokeswoman confirmed.
The Glasgow Village man's family members say was beaten by officers during the Tuesday arrest. Police say the man resisted after being pulled over for suspicion of driving while intoxicated after witnesses called police saying a man was driving on the wrong side of the road in Hazelwood.
On Wednesday, Hazelwood Police Capt. Ken Jewson told the Post Dispatch he promised a thorough investigation into the allegations. (See original article below)
Antonio Johnson, 40, died at DePaul Health Center at 4 p.m. Thursday, and Hazelwood police told the Post Dispatch the department is continuing the investigation.
Johnson was pulled over on Tuesday at about 9:04 p.m. He was suspected of drunken driving. Police say he was reported as driving southbound in the northbound lane of Charbonier Road. By the time police caught up with the Johnson's vehicle, it was driving on Aubuchon Road and was subsequently pulled over in the 4600 block.
Police say upon contact with Johnson, he was found to be in an intoxicated condition. Police arrested him for driving while intoxicated. Jewson said Johnson resisted arrest and a struggle ensued. One officer was initially involved, who called for backup. Two other officers responded.
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Police told KMOV Johnson was hit with a Taser-brand stun gun twice after becoming combative
Since Johnson passed away, the three male officers involved have been put on paid administrative leave, per department policy. Jewson told the Post Dispatch he is "confident that they'll be cleared as soon as we get the toxicology reports and the medical examiner's reports."
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KMOV reports Johnson was driving with a revoked license at the time of the Hazelwood traffic stop, and has other driving under the influence incidences on his driving record.
The St. Louis County Police Department will also help with the investigation. Jewson said this is to avoid bias.
Original Article
A man is in critical condition following an incident with Hazelwood police officers Tuesday night.
In a statement emailed to Patch around 4 p.m. Wednesday, the Hazelwood Police Department said a man was taken via ambulance to DePaul Health Center for treatment after he resisted arrest during traffic stop for being under the suspicion of drunken driving.
The department said it received a call about a person driving on the wrong side of the roadway on Tuesday at about 9:04 p.m. Police say the man was reported as driving southbound in the northbound lane of Charbonier Road. By the time police caught up with the reported car, it was driving on Aubuchon Road and was subsequently pulled over in the 4600 block.
Police say upon contact the man, 40-year-old Antonio Johnson, was found to be in an intoxicated condition. Police arrested him for driving while intoxicated.
While being arrested, police said the driver struggled with the arresting officer causing minor injuries to both the officer and himself.
Police said they had Johnson taken to the hospital due to what was described as "his extreme intoxicated condition," but his family feels differently.
Johnson's family told the St. Louis Post Dispatch his injuries are life-threatening, and said they aren't due to alcohol but officers beating him.
Hazelwood Police Capt. Ken Jewson told the Post Dispatch Johnson resisted arrest and a struggle ensued. He said one officer was initially involved, and that officer called for backup. At that time, two other officers responded.
Jewson promised a “comprehensive investigation” and said police have witnesses who saw Johnson's "erratic" driving, but have not had anyone come forward saying they saw the struggle.
He also said the department will review audio recordings and footage from the squad car's dashboard camera, but said the incident happened on the side of the car.
A hospital spokeswoman confirmed with the Post Dispatch that Johnson was in critical condition on Wednesday. LaTisha Johnson said her husband suffered severe kidney and lung damage, and currently needs a ventilator to breathe.
Jewson said the police department plans to subpoena blood tests and hospital records. All officers involved remain on patrol duty.
Click here to read the full St. Louis Post Dispatch interview with Johnson's wife.
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