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Man dies after ingesting suspected narcotics while sitting in backseat of police cruiser

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CANTON, Ohio — A man who ingested suspected narcotics while sitting in the back of an Ohio State Highway Patrol cruiser last week has died.

According to OSHP, troopers tried to pull over a vehicle on I-77 after receiving reports of a reckless driver. Troopers followed the vehicle in a slow-speed pursuit that lasted about six minutes and ended in Canton.

The driver was detained and placed in the back of a patrol car. Authorities said that while sitting in the police cruiser, the driver removed a white powdery substance from his body and ingested it.

First responders administered naloxone and the man was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A child, who was inside the car with the man during the chase, was released to the custody of a relative, troopers said.

The man’s name has not been released.

Authorities said the substance is being tested to determine what it is.