Coos Bay Mother Files Wrongful Death Suit Over Son’s Death in Back of Police Car

COOS COUNTY, Ore. — Jennifer Smith, the mother of Nathan Bradford Smith (33), has filed a wrongful death civil rights lawsuit against the City of Coos Bay, claiming her son died in the back of a patrol car while a Coos Bay Police officer went to his office to check TikTok and reply to text messages.

According to the lawsuit, Coos Bay Police Department officers interacted with Nathan Smith on three occasions at different locations on July 7, 2024. He appeared to be smoking methamphetamine. Police vehicle footage shows Smith lying on a curb, flailing his arms, on Bayshore Drive at 5 p.m

Family Attorney Claims the Police Must Have Seen the Deceased Was Suffering From a Medical Episode

Smith was breathing heavily and was suffering a medical episode, according to the family attorney, Juan Chavez. This could be seen and plainly heard on the police camera footage.

The attorney said that instead of seeking medical assistance that could have saved his life, Smith was placed in the back of a police vehicle and left alone sitting on the back seat while the police officer went into the precinct and appeared to check TikTok and reply to messages.

When the officer returned to the vehicle, Smith was slumped over and unconscious. Officer Benjamin Martin administered Narcan, but Smith died at the Bay Area Hospital.

The defendants named in the lawsuit are the City of Coos Bay, three CBPD officers – Benjamin Martin, Tristan Smith, and Wesley O’Connor.

Jennifer Smith is also suing 20 unnamed members of the department.