Update: The Death of Edimar de Araujo
Dr. Thomas P. Gilson, Rhode Island’s Chief Medical Examiner, has just issued a press release as to the cause of Mr. Araujo’s death:
“The cause of death for Edimar Alves De Araujo, a 34-year-old male from Milford, MA, who expired in Providence, RI, on August 7, 2007, after Federal Immigration agents took him into custody, has been determined to be acute intoxication due to the combined effects of cocaine and hydroxyzine (a medication used for the treatment of anxiety and emesis) with chronic seizure disorder as another significant condition contributing to death.”
At the time of Mr. Araujo’s tragic death, Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition, stated, “I think everybody is waiting to see how this tragedy really occurred”. With the Medical Examiner’s report, more of the picture has been filled in.
It is difficult to get away from the point Carroll Andrew Morse made in his original Anchor Rising post:
“From what we know, anyone with Mr. Araujo’s medical condition — citizen or non-citizen — could have suffered the same unfotunate fate, if discovered to be the subject of an outstanding warrant following a traffic stop.”
If he stayed in Brazil he would probably be alive today.
ZING! Right to the point Mike, I love it!
Even if he didn’t stay in Brazil, if he stayed off the BLOW he’d probably still be alive today.
“combined effects of cocaine and hydroxyzine”
Remember also that he was originally stopped for going the wrong way down a one way street. Now it appears that he may have done so as a result of drug induced carelessness or diminished attention, not due to a language barrier.
In point of fact, he was a hazard to public safety in this condition. While I am truly sorry he is deceased, the Woonsocket police are to be commended for pulling over and removing from the road a dangerous driver.