A woman died after she was found unresponsive in her cell at the Jefferson County Detention Facility early Wednesday morning, according to the sheriff’s office.
A deputy found Sasha Chavez, 37, just before 5:55 a.m., sheriff’s officials said. Deputies and medical staff gave two doses of naloxone and continued CPR for 30 minutes, and emergency responders continued trying to resuscitate her before she was pronounced dead at 6:40 a.m.
Chavez’s death will be investigated by the 1st Judicial District’s Critical Incident Response Team, and the coroner’s office will determine her cause of death.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — Jefferson County settled a lawsuit with a former inmate for $500,000, according to the attorney who filed the suit.
“Fred [Fisk] was in the county jail [in November of 2022]. He was there for a misdemeanor charge, and he was pending felony sentencing,” David Lane said of his client. “Fred has some mental health issues. Some deputies were walking him down the hallway for an evaluation.”
Surveillance video from inside the jail shows Fisk then stop walking. Deputies grab him by his legs. Fisk falls forward and slams his face onto the ground. A small pool of blood forms underneath Fisk’s face, which can be seen in the surveillance video when he rolls over.
“He went face first into the concrete floor and cracked his jaw and suffered a traumatic brain injury,” Lane said.
Lane said the money more than covers his client’s medical bills.
“The problem with the so called justice system in America is that it uses the word justice. Justice is never done. It is the great American accountability system where money substitutes for any injury,” Lane said. “When Fred Fisk violates the law and he pleads guilty, he’s held accountable. He goes to prison. He goes to jail. When these deputies violate your Constitution, they need to be held accountable, just like Fred Fisk was, because if they’re not held accountable, then we don’t have justice in America.”
Denver7 reached out to Jefferson County for a statement. Jeffco leaders said someone would likely respond Monday.
Our partners at The Denver Post received a statement from Jefferson County, which called the “takedown… unjustified” and said “the use of force appears to have been a result of inexperience and poor judgment, rather than malice.”
Lane said he called the Jefferson County District Attorney, asking her to prosecute the deputies involved.
As of Sunday, Lane said he had not heard back from the DA. His next stop is the United States Department of Justice.
Former inmate receives $500,000 settlement from Jefferson County
The Follow Up
What do you want Denver7 to follow up on? Is there a story, topic or issue you want us to revisit? Let us know with the contact form below.
A 40-year-old Commerce City man was arrested in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed an accomplished wheelchair fencer on Friday, according to the Lakewood Police Department.
Chavez was out on bail after being arrested on suspicion of vehicular eluding in Adams County, according to court records. He posted a $2,500 bail in the case in October.
Chavez previously pleaded guilty in separate cases to charges of driving under restraint, driving without a license, obstructing a peace officer, weapons possession and possession of contraband in a detention facility, according to court records.
The hit-and-run occurred near West 23rd Avenue and Kipling Street at 7:24 p.m. Friday when a Chevy Camaro fatally struck a pedestrian and fled the scene. The pedestrian was later identified as 29-year-old Terre Engdahl, an award-winning parafencer who lived in Lakewood.
Chavez is in custody at the Jefferson County Jail on a $10,000 cash bail and is set to appear in court Tuesday.
Police are still searching for the Camaro, which sustained heavy front-end and windshield damage and is missing the driver’s side headlight. The car’s Colorado license plate, DWB-P87, may have been removed.
Anyone with information can call Lakewood police at 303-983-7300 and ask for Detective Moffat.
