A harrowing video of a California DUI suspect dying after yelling “I can’t breathe!” has surfaced. ” while being held down by authorities, less than two months before George Floyd told cops in Minneapolis the same frightening words.
Officer Dusty Osmanson of the California Highway Patrol arrested Edward Bronstein, 38, on suspicion of driving under the influence after a traffic check on the 5 Freeway on March 31, 2020.
The suspect was transferred to the CHP station in Altadena, where police attempted to forcefully draw his blood to determine his blood alcohol level, but he apparently resisted.
Bronstein is seen kneeling on the ground while a cop holds his hands against his shoulders and another officer, who is off camera, instructs him to cooperate with a court-ordered blood draw in the 16-minute video filmed by a sergeant.
One of the cops replies, “You’re bringing the fight to this, not us.”
Bronstein stops moving for another minute before the officers notice he isn’t responding and attempt to resuscitate him. One of them slaps him on the head as he lies face down before ultimately turning him over.
After that, an officer requests CPR, but it takes more than 11 minutes after Bronstein’s last screams for it to be administered.
Bronstein’s family has filed a federal complaint alleging excessive force and civil rights violations against nine policemen and a sergeant. The family also wants the LA County district attorney to file criminal charges against the cops.
Carlos Villanueva, Christopher Sanchez-Romero, Darren Parsons, Diego Romero, Dusty Osmanson, Eric Voss, Justin Silva, Dionisio Fiorella, and Marciel Terry are the policemen in question. Sgt. Michael Little is another name for him.
Bronstein died of acute methamphetamine poisoning during police enforcement restraint, according to the coroner’s office, albeit the reason was unknown.
Following a federal judge’s order, the terrifying video was made public on Tuesday.
Officials from the California Highway Patrol declined to comment on the issue, noting ongoing lawsuits.
