A 26-year old man died at Mercy Hospital on Sunday afternoon after becoming unresponsive inside the Allegheny County Jail.
Gerald Thomas exited his cell shortly after noon on Sunday, and as he was asking the people near him for assistance, he collapsed, jail spokesperson Jesse Geleynse said.
“A medical emergency was called, and lifesaving measures were performed until medical arrived on the unit,” Mr. Geleynse said.
Paramedics responded and were able to get a pulse back, which is when Mr. Thomas was taken to the hospital.
Mr. Geleynse said that the jail was notified of Mr. Thomas’ death shortly after 2 p.m.
Allegheny County Internal Affairs was notified of the death and “has initiated an investigation,” Mr. Geleynse said. The jail will also conduct an internal review.
The Jail Oversight Board was notified of Mr. Thomas’ death, although he was not identified by name, only “a male in his 20s.”
The medical examiner’s office publicly identified Mr. Thomas late Monday night. A cause and manner of death have not been determined.
Mr. Thomas is the second person to die in the jail this year and the eighth since July.
First Published: March 8, 2022, 3:47 a.m.
Updated: March 8, 2022, 11:12 a.m.