Escondido Man Dies After Drug Arrest

A 28-year-old Escondido man died of an apparent drug overdose Thursday while in the custody of sheriff’s deputies, authorities said.

David K. Stucki, 28, described as an unemployed roofer, was pronounced dead at Palomar Hospital at 3:58 a.m., Deputy Coroner Charles Kelley said.

Deputies were called to the 1400 block of Windsong Lane by Stucki’s parents, who told authorities that their son appeared to be under the influence of drugs and had become disruptive when he arrived home, Sgt. Suzanne Hatcher said.

“Mr. and Mrs. Stucki were awaken by loud, banging noises and yelling at about 1:30 a.m.,” Hatcher said.

Hatcher said deputies arrived at the home about 2 a.m. and found Stucki with family members. She said he was “disoriented and incoherent.”

Stucki was arrested for being under the influence of drugs and did not resist arrest, Hatcher said. Once inside the patrol car, she said, deputies became “concerned for his well-being” and called paramedics, who took Stucki to Palomar Memorial Hospital.

Deputy Coroner Kelley said Stucki had a history of addiction to methamphetamine and that he had escaped Monday from a local drug-treatment program.

Kelley said an autopsy was performed Thursday, but a determination of the cause of death is pending further study.