Man dies after medical incident during prison admission

The West Valley Detention Center is seen in a June 17, 2024, archive photo. (KTLA)

A 30-year-old Fontana man died after suffering a medical incident while San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials attempted to transport him to jail.

Joel Valencia was booked into the West Valley Detention Center for a “domestic altercation” just minutes before midnight Friday when he “became uncontrollable and upon medical examination it was determined that he had an elevated pulse rate and required transportation to the hospital,” the Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.

When he arrived at the hospital – it was now Saturday – “he became combative and suffered a medical emergency,” authorities added.

Despite life-saving measures, Valencia was declared dead. An autopsy will determine the cause of death.

Anyone with information is asked to call 909-890-4904.

To report information anonymously, contact WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or wetip.com.