Vista Jail Inmate Dies in Hospital After Reportedly Suffering From Medical Crisis

Authorities are investigating the death of an inmate who suffered a medical emergency at the Vista Detention Facility and died a day later in a hospital.

Deputies conducting a safety check inside a housing unit at the jail found the 53-year-old man suffering from an unknown type of ailment at about 7:30 a.m. Sunday, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

Paramedics took him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead Monday evening.

“The man’s name is not being released at this time because we are actively trying to locate and notify his family,” sheriff’s Lt. Scott Roller said Tuesday.

The inmate, who is believed to have been unsheltered at the time of his arrest, had been jailed Saturday on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.

A ruling on his cause of death was on hold pending completion of postmortem examinations.

Custody deaths have been a major issue in San Diego County in recent years. According to multiple reports, the county’s rate of inmate deaths remains one of the highest among large counties in California.

A state audit in 2022 found that officials had not adequately prevented or responded to deaths in custody. The county had 19 custody deaths that year.

City News service contributed to this report.