WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A man is dead after a traffic stop in Winston-Salem overnight Thursday.
The Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD) said Yerkoy Rayshun Shuler, 42, died Friday morning following a traffic stop early Thursday morning.
The family said he was from Georgia and was visiting his daughter, who lives in Winston-Salem and recently graduated.
Police said Shuler was pulled over near Sheraton Street and Leo Street for a traffic control device infraction. During the traffic stop, he was asked to step out of the vehicle due to what police said was "erratic behavior" and evidence suggesting a violation involving drugs.
Police said Shuler initially complied with officers but refused to put his hands behind his back and tried to reach back into his car. Officers were able to gain control of him and then put him in handcuffs.
Police said they escorted him into the patrol car, where he was buckled in and monitored by other officers on the scene during a vehicle search.
Shuler was arrested for misdemeanor resisting, delaying, and obstructing a public officer.
Police said Shuler kicked the door and window while in the back of the patrol car.
WSPD said that due to a behavioral change, officers called EMS at around 1:05 a.m. They requested an emergency response from EMS because Shuler suddenly did not respond to questions, according to police.
EMS and fire crews arrived on the scene around 1:13 a.m., where they attempted life-saving measures and took Shuler to a nearby hospital, where he later died.
The Winston-Salem Police Department said the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) will independently investigate this incident, which happens to be standard procedure for any in-custody death.
The department said they would fully cooperate and assist throughout the investigation.
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