KARE 11 Investigates: Postal worker died after police mistook stroke for drug impairment (Minnesota)

[WhiskeyGrinder]

https://www.kare11.com/article/news/investigations/kare-11-investigates-postal-worker-died-after-police-mistook-stroke-for-drug-impairment/89-498afc7e-a924-4333-a150-826c3348eaf0

A newly filed federal lawsuit alleges that a Minnesota postal worker died after police officers and jail staff ignored clear signs he was suffering from a massive stroke - mistaking his medical emergency for drug impairment.

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court, accuses the City of Eagan and Dakota County of deliberate indifference in the death of 50-year-old Kingsley Fifi Bimpong, a U.S. Postal Service employee and lawful permanent U.S. resident originally from Ghana.

The lawsuit claims arresting officers failed to do a proper screening to determine whether Bimpong was having a stroke or experiencing a drug overdose – and it says jail guards allowed Bimpong to remain helpless on a jail cell floor in his own urine for hours without medical attention.

(snip)

Eagan Officer Martin Jensen, a specially trained Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE), was called to assess whether Bimpong was under the influence of drugs. DRE training, provided by the Minnesota State Patrol to officers, emphasizes distinguishing drug impairment from medical emergencies such as strokes. But the lawsuit alleges Jensen disregarded his training.