BOSTON, May 30, 2013—State Police detectives assigned to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, along with Troop E investigators and the Crime Scene Services Section, are investigating the death of a man who may have suffered a heart attack during a violent struggle in which he bit a trooper.

The man, identified as a 47-year-old Windsor, Connecticut, resident, was wandering on a highway ramp near Interchange 19 of the Massachusetts Turnpike eastbound shortly before 10:15 last night when a trooper working a paid detail spotted him and directed him off the ramp. An additional trooper arrived on scene at about this time.

Based on a preliminary review of the evidence, including the statements of maintenance workers who were present at the scene and assisted the troopers, the man became aggressive and engaged the troopers in a physical altercation. In the course of the altercation, the man bit one trooper, removing a large chunk of flesh from his arm. The troopers discharged their chemical spray to subdue him.

In the course of the incident, the man went into cardiac arrest, at which point the troopers performed CPR and requested medical assistance. Boston EMS responded at the scene and transported the man to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The troopers were also transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries they sustained.

Because they have jurisdiction over death investigations on State roadways within the City of Boston, members of the Suffolk County State Police Detective Unit will lead the probe. State Police will also conduct an administrative review of the troopers’ use of force, as they do in all such circumstances.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.