Seven California Highway Patrol officers, including Diego Romero and Justin Silva, along with a nurse, have been charged with the death of a man who complained he couldn’t breathe.
A CHP sergeant and six officers have been charged with involuntary manslaughter and assault under the color of authority in the death of Edward Bronstein, who was arrested for suspected DUI.
Officials have stated that a registered nurse has been accused of involuntary manslaughter, as Bronstein was restrained after he refused to undergo a blood draw.
Also Read: Michael Little Police – 57-Year-Old Charged In Edward Bronstein Death
Diego Romero And Justin Silva – Officers Charged In Edward Bronstein Death
On March 31, 2020, Edward Bronstein, 38 years old, was taken into custody for driving under the influence and passed away at a CHP facility in Altadena, Los Angeles.
DA Gascón charged seven CHP officers for Edward Bronstein’s death due to meth intoxication during restraint by law enforcement.
Seven CHP officers, Sgt. Michael Little and Officers, including Diego Romero and Justin Silva, were on administrative leave on Wednesday.
Involuntary manslaughter and felony assault under the color of authority are the charges that Diego Romero and Justin Silva, with the other five agents, are facing, with a maximum sentence of four years in prison if found guilty.
Uncertainty surrounded the availability of legal representation for the officers, and the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, which represents CHP officers, did not respond to requests for comment.
In addition, Arbi Baghalian, the registered nurse involved in the incident, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
The CHP took action following Bronstein’s death by modifying its policies to avoid techniques or transport methods that can cause positional asphyxia and mandated additional training for uniformed officers.
In September 2021, a law was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom to prohibit police from using specific face-down holds, which was an expansion of California’s chokehold ban following George Floyd’s murder.
Bronstein’s Father’s attorney, Luis Carrillo, stated in an email that his client is satisfied with the charges brought against the CHP officers, as they caused the death of his son and immense sorrow for the family.
Edward Bronstein Arrest and Death timeline
Edward Bronstein, 38, was arrested for DUI on March 31, 2020, and died at a CHP station in Altadena, Los Angeles. His death occurred just before George Floyd’s tragic murder in Minneapolis.
In an ongoing federal lawsuit filed by Bronstein’s family against the officers, a video lasting nearly 18 minutes was released last year, showing the officers’ alleged excessive force and civil rights violation.
A family member stated that Bronstein feared needles, which they believe caused his initial reluctance to comply with the CHP’s attempt to draw a blood sample.
According to the video footage recorded by the sergeant, several officers compelled Bronstein, who was in handcuffs, to lie down on a mat, as he continuously declared that he was willing to cooperate.
The lawsuit claims that while six officers held him face-down, possibly with their knees on his back, Bronstein screamed in agony and begged for assistance.
It was reported that when Bronstein pleaded for help and exclaimed that he couldn’t breathe, an officer had responded by telling him to relax and stop resisting, while another officer had ordered him not to yell.
Despite Bronstein’s cries for help, his voice gradually fades, and he becomes unresponsive while the nurse draws blood and the officers continue to restrain him.
Once the officers learned that Bronstein might not be breathing and had no pulse, they tried to revive him by slapping his face and calling his name before initiating CPR more than 11 minutes after his final cry.
Following the incident, Bronstein remained unconscious and was ultimately declared deceased.
Read More: Joe Scarborough Gay Rumors – Meet His Wife Mika Emilie Leonia Brzezinski And Kids
