Hemet inmate second suspected COVID-19 in-custody death this week
MORENO VALLEY, Calif. — A Hemet man in custody since being arrested on domestic violence related charges last month has died while incarcerated, according to authorities. Officials say COVID-19 related complications and flu-like symptoms may have led to his April 28 death.
This was the second inmate death in two days that officials say may have been caused by COVID-19 related complications. The other inmate – 69-year-old, Edward Thomas Clark, who died April 26 – had been in jail on arson and burglary related charges and was being held in lieu of $1 million bail or bond.
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57-year-old, Salvador Jesus Garcia, was arrested in Hemet March 27, after a violent incident on Lanier St. in Hemet, Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Adam Heard said after the man’s passing.
Online jail records indicate he was booked into Riverside County Jail on suspicion of two counts of inflicting corporal injury to a spouse or co-habitant and driving without a license. He was being held in lieu of $2,500 bail or bond.
On April 6, Garcia was transported to Riverside University Health System Medical Center in Moreno Valley where he began receiving treatment for a pre-existing medical condition, according to Heard; who did not specify the nature of the inmate’s medical condition.
While being treated at the hospital, Garcia developed flu-like symptoms and was given a COVID-19 test; which later tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Despite remaining hospitalized and continuing to receive treatment, on Tuesday, April 28, Garcia succumbed to his condition and passed away.
After Garcia’s death Heard reported his passing “appears to be (related to) complications from his pre-existing medical condition, possibly exasperated by COVID-19.”
However, an exact cause of death has not yet been determined, said Heard.
Investigators from the Corrections Investigation Bureau and the Coroner’s Bureau have assumed the investigation, which is active and ongoing.
“Due to the ongoing investigation, no further information is currently available,” said Heard; while adding, “The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is working diligently to address the COVID-19 pandemic and values the health and safety of all those who live and work within its correctional facilities.”
As of an April 17 official update, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco reported that 107 inmates had tested positive for COVID-19. 53 of those inmates had already recovered, are no longer quarantined, and have been returned to general housing, according to Bianco.
Additionally, 71 employees had tested positive for COVID-19, including two deputies, 52-year-old, Terrell Young and 52-year-old, David Werksman, who passed away within hours of each other from COVID-19 related complications.
As of last week’s update, nine employees had returned to work and several more were expected to return as they continue to recover from their symptoms over the next few weeks, according to Bianco.
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”So far, the majority of our staff testing positive have come from our corrections division,” explained Bianco, saying COVID-19 had also impacted the Department’s patrol, courts and support services divisions.
“Sick inmates are receiving constant, quality health from our doctors and nurses,” Bianco explained, while addressing the concerns some have brought to light regarding the Sheriff’s handling of the ongoing public health crisis.
“All of our inmates were provided with masks and are being encouraged to to practice good and social distancing,” Bianco continued. “The jails are being cleaned multiple times per day and inmates are being provided with ample cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items.”
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Trevor Montgomery, 48, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 29 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 16 grandchildren.