Man dies in custody after drug arrest

A man died in the custody of Costa Mesa police Tuesday after being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, authorities said.

Richard Donald Kurtz, 45, was taken into custody about 2:45 p.m. Saturday after he was spotted driving erratically, said Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Bryan Glass.

Shortly after being booked at 4:30 p.m. he was taken to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach “due to concerns” for his well-being, a police statement said. Kurtz was not in an accident and did not complain of being injured, Glass said. Glass would not say why jailers were concerned, what condition kept Kurtz in the hospital for the three days or what eventually killed him.

The matter is being investigated by the Orange County district attorney’s office.