Prosecutors charged seven California Highway Patrol officers and a nurse with involuntary manslaughter on Wednesday in connection with the 2020 death of a man who screamed “I can’t breathe” while multiple officers restrained him as they tried to take a blood sample. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced the charges in the death of Edward Bronstein, which the LA County coroner said was caused by “acute methamphetamine intoxication during restraint by law enforcement.” “The officers had a legal duty to Mr. Bronstein,” Gascón said during a news conference.
Dharmesh Arvind Patel, 41, of Pasadena was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and child endangerment, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The officers, who satisfied conditions of a diversion program and paid restitution, were among 54 charged with exaggerating the hours they worked on Caltrans protection details.