Man Dies After Arrest in Aiken County

Aiken County Sheriff Michael Hunt says he has contacted the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to investigate the death of a man shortly after he was taken into custody March 18.

Deputies were called to the intersection of Marshall and Ergle Streets in Graniteville following reports of a man trying to enter passing vehicles, as well as possible robbery.

Authorities found the suspect in the middle of the road with traffic at a standstill.  He was taken into custody.  While enroute to the Aiken County Detention Center, Hunt says the suspect began hitting his head on the partition and kicking at the rear window inside the patrol car.  The deputy stopped and called for assistance, but authorities say he became unresponsive while deputies were putting his legs in a restraint.  He died shortly after arrival at Aiken Regional Medical Centers.