Family Sues After Woman Dies In Jail Of Injuries From Accident
Emily Rae Rice suffered a 7-inch gash to her liver, a lacerated spleen and three broken ribs in a car accident but was told to “stop being dramatic” and incarcerated at Denver Jail, where she died, according to a lawsuit filed Monday. Rice’s family filed suit in Denver District Court against the city and county of Denver, Denver Health Medical Center, and nearly 50 deputies, jail guards, doctors and nurses who they say ignored Rice’s pleas.
Rice, 24, was jailed Feb. 18, 2006, on outstanding traffic warrants and also was suspected of being intoxicated. According to the lawsuit, a nurse told Rice to “sleep it off.” Later, other inmates began screaming and banging in their cell to get the guards’ attention, but Rice wasn’t evaluated.
“That’s a terrible way to go — in a cold, stinking jail cell and you’re bleeding out,” said her father, Roy Rice.
The Denver District Attorney’s office last fall decided not to file criminal charges in the case, based on an investigation by Denver police.
An internal investigation by the sheriff’s department remains under administrative review to determine whether disciplinary action is warranted, independent monitor Richard Rosenthal said.
“People should not die when they are sent to jail in Denver, Colorado,” attorney Darold Killmer said during a news conference in front of the City and County Building. “It’s outrageous the city is sweeping this under the rug and whitewashing this investigation.”
An evaluation at Denver Health, where Rice was taken to after the accident, found only a shoulder contusion, and she was given ibuprofen before being released to sheriff’s custody, according to the lawsuit.
Hours before her death, Rice had called her mother and complained she was freezing and couldn’t feel her feet. She wasn’t given another blanket even though she asked for one, according to the suit.