A Santa Barbara County Jail inmate died Monday after suffering an undisclosed medical emergency. At around 12:40 a.m., said Sheriff’s spokesperson Kelly Hoover, deputies responded to a call of a “man down” in one of the jail’s general population housing units. The deputies found 52-year-old Ray John Herrera of Lompoc on the floor of the restroom area. They administered first aid to Herrera, who was then transported to Cottage Hospital. En route to the hospital, his conditioned worsened, and he was pronounced dead at 1:43 a.m. at Cottage, said Hoover.
The Sheriff’s Coroner’s Unit is investigating Herrera’s death and is scheduled to perform an autopsy today. Toxicology results won’t be available for several weeks. No foul play is suspected, Hoover said. Herrera was booked in jail June 8 on two warrants for non-violent offenses.