Ritchie Lee Harbison, 62

Hendersonville, North Carolina
November 08, 2016

Agencies: State Bureau of Investigations SBI North Carolina | North Carolina State Highway Patrol DPS | Henderson County Sheriff's Office North Carolina

Cause of death: Taser

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Last updated: almost 6 years ago

Overview

Authorities are investigating a man’s death after deputies say he charged them and was tased.

Dispatch received a call around 1:10 a.m. Tuesday about a vehicle crash involving multiple parked cars at an apartment complex on Howard Gap Road.

Deputies say they arrived minutes later and found the driver of the wrecked vehicle naked in the middle of Howard Gap Road. They say he was not compliant and “acting extremely irrational.”

As officers tried to take him into custody, he charged them, according to a statement from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office.

A Taser was used on the man.

Deputies say after the Taser was deployed and the driver brought under control, emergency workers evaluated the driver for possible injuries.

During the medical evaluation, the driver went into full arrest and was immediately taken to Park Ridge Hospital, according to deputies.

“Attempts to revive the driver were unsuccessful,” deputies say.

Authorities say the driver’s name will be released after the next of kin are notified.

The N.C. Highway Patrol and the State Bureau of Investigation are investigating.