By Paulina Pineda
The Dallas Morning News
TERRELL, Texas — A 42-year-old man believed to be on drugs died Sunday morning while being transported to a hospital in Terrell, police said.
Terrell police responded on a welfare check around 4:21 a.m. in the 1200 block of West Moore Avenue after a man wearing only a blue shirt and underwear was reported to be standing in the roadway.
Police said the man, identified as Gary Wells, was “behaving strangely” and was seen attempting to hurt a small dog. Officers requested an ambulance to treat Wells who was believed to be under the influence of an unknown drug.
Wells voluntarily entered the ambulance but began fighting with the ambulance attendant. After breaking the soft restraints around his wrists, an officer temporarily handcuffed him to “maintain his control and prevent injury to himself.”
While en route to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Kaufman, the ambulance pulled over near State Highway 34 and Interstate 20 after Wells displayed signs of distress. Police removed the handcuffs and assisted medical personnel with CPR efforts while they transported him to Lake Pointe Emergency Services of Forney, which was closer.
Wells was pronounced dead upon arrival around 5:54 a.m. Kaufman County has ordered an autopsy.
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