CITY OF FAIRFAX — A 66-year-old man taken into custody for suspected drunk driving died shortly after being booked into the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, prompting an independent investigation.
It all began around 8:05 p.m. on December 14, when officers responded to a single-car crash at the Shell gas station on the 11200 block of Fairfax Boulevard. According to police, the man refused medical treatment at the scene. Preliminary reports suggested he had been drinking, and officers arrested him for driving under the influence.
After arriving at the detention center, the man reportedly began feeling ill. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors discovered a medical emergency was unfolding. Despite life-saving efforts, he died shortly after.
Because the man died while in custody, the case is now under investigation by the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT)—a group of investigators from outside the City of Fairfax Police Department. This is standard protocol for deaths involving someone in police custody.
An autopsy will be conducted by the Office of the Medical Examiner to determine the cause and manner of death. The findings will be reviewed by the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Police have not released the man’s name yet, citing the active status of the investigation.
The City of Fairfax Police Department issued a statement expressing condolences to the man’s family.
