WAGONER COUNTY, Okla. — A district attorney's report on an in-custody death earlier this month says that the actions of two Wagoner County Sheriff's Office deputies were justified after a man died shortly following his arrest.
Officials said on July 1, Wagoner County Deputy Kaleb Phillips was on patrol when he observed the driver of a vehicle driving erratically on Highway 69.
Officials said the driver of the vehicle, Jeffrey Krueger, refused to comply with the Phillips' commands when he was pulled over, attempted to attack Phillips and tried to take his gun.
After a struggle, Deputy Nicholas Orr arrived as backup at the scene.
Officials said Krueger continued to resist them both, and both deputies used their stun guns, which were ineffective. Krueger, at one point, was able to get hold of a stun gun, and displayed "superhuman" strength, documents said.
After the lengthy struggle, they were able to get the man into custody.
Shortly thereafter, officers discovered that Krueger was not breathing normally, and he was quickly taken to the hospital. Shortly arriving at the emergency room, he passed away.
The only noted injuries to Krueger were a laceration on his face as well as multiple abrasions. The medical examiner noted that Krueger did not have any evidence of an injury that would be considered life threatening.
Toxicology results regarding Krueger's death are still pending. A preliminary finding says that Krueger died as a result of "excited delirium."
The district attorney's report says that there is no proof that any act of the deputies caused the death of Krueger, and that the two acted justifiably in their attempts to subdue him.
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