ACLU sues in death of intoxicated man in Duluth
The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota has filed a lawsuit alleging the city of Duluth and a local hospital are responsible for the death of an American Indian man.
The lawsuit involves the death of 29-year-old David Croud in October 2005. He was arrested after being found intoxicated and slumped on the side of a building. He died in St. Mary's Medical Center six days later.
A St. Louis County medical examiner determined Croud died of a combination of acute alcohol intoxication and the administration of an antipsychotic drug commonly used to treat agitated patients.
The lawsuit claims hospital staff gave Croud a dose of the drug three times greater than recommended.
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Washington County Attorney Doug Johnson investigated and cleared Duluth police in 2006.
City Attorney Gunnar Johnson says he will vigorously defend the city. St. Mary's spokeswoman Kim Kaiser says the hospital doesn't comment on pending litigation.
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Information from: Duluth News Tribune, http://www.duluthsuperior.com (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
