INMATE DIES IN CENTRAL JAIL, HOURS AFTER RELEASE FROM HOSPITAL

By Miriam Raftery

February 25, 2023 (San Diego) – A man arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and causing an accident that seriously injured a motorcyclist has died in San Diego County’s Central Jail. 

Robert Shuey, 67, of San Clemente was arrested in Oceanside shortly before 4 a.m. on Feb. 21 by the Oceanside Police Department. He was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation.  After the hospital cleared him medically later that morning, he was booked into the Vista Detention facility and then transferred at 11 a.m. to San Diego Central Jail.

Shortly before 8 p.m., during an hourly safety check, Shuey was found unresponsive in his cell. Deputies and medical staff immediately responded to the location and began CPR, according to the Sheriff’s department. Paramedics arrived and took over life-saving measures, but despite these efforts, Shuey was pronounced dead before he could be transported to a hospital.

The Sheriff’s Homicide unit investigates all deaths of person in custody at the time of their passing.  The Citizens Law Review Board’s executive officer was also notified of this incident.

“The Sheriff's Department is sympathetic to his family and those affected by this death.  A Sheriff's family liaison officer is working with Mr. Shuey's family.” Says Lieutenant Chris Steffen with the Sheriff’s Homicide Unit.

The cause and manner of death are under investigation and will be determined by the County Medical Examiner’s office.

Shuey is the second death this month; a 33-year-old man died after being found unresponsive in his jail cell in Vista.

Deaths of 185 people in custody since 2015 in County jails prompted the state auditor to investigate and make recommendations for improvements in a report released in 2021, under then-Sheriff Bill Gore. Causes of death ranged from drug overdoses to assault, suicide, and natural causes.

Last year, another 19 people died in San Diego County jails, plus a 20th who was hospitalized, then released for medical reasons and died a short time later. 

Newly elected Sheriff  Kelly Martinez has rolled out many changes aimed at preventing jail deaths, including making Naloxene available to prevent overdoses, voluntary screening for drugs and alcohol on intake, and expanding mental health services.