Man Leading Police Chase Had Cocaine on Face: Harford Sheriff

Cocaine covered the interior of the vehicle and the face of the man who led authorities on a chase from Harford to Baltimore County earlier this week before he died in police custody, according to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office.

Arvel Douglas Williams, 30, of the 800 block of Mangold Street in Baltimore City, suffered from a medical emergency before he died on Wednesday night, the sheriff’s office reported.

Related: Man Dies in Police Custody after Chase, Tasing

Deputies became suspicious of Williams after observing what they identified as drug activity involving him and his red Ford Ranger pickup truck at 8:02 p.m. in Joppa, the report said.

When deputies tried to stop him near Philadelphia Road/MD Route 7 at Mountain Road, Williams refused, instead leading police on a pursuit—with speeds ranging from 35 to 60 mph—along Route 7 into Baltimore County, according to the report.

After turning onto Cowenton Avenue, Williams crashed into a Baltimore County Police Department cruiser, then tried unsuccessfully to reverse his pickup truck several times to get away, the report said. The police car was inoperable and so was his truck, according to Baltimore County police.

Emerging from his vehicle, Williams resisted arrest and would not follow orders from deputies, who were forced to use their Tasers safely take him into custody, the sheriff’s office reported.

“Shortly after arrest, Williams appeared to be in medical distress,” according to the sheriff’s office. “Deputies un-handcuffed Williams and immediately began to administer CPR until EMS arrived.”

Williams was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:05 p.m., according to the sheriff’s office.

A white powdery substance covered his face and the inside of his vehicle, according to the report, which said that the substance tested positively for cocaine. Police said Williams is believed to have consumed the drug before he was arrested.

Deputies involved were placed on routine administrative leave, and the Baltimore County Police Department continues to investigate the incident, according to the report.