State investigates after man dies in hospital hours after drug arrest

GILLETTE (WNE) — A 62-year-old man who was arrested on a drug charge Wednesday afternoon was pronounced dead at Campbell County Health a few hours after he said he felt sick while being taken to jail.

At about 2 p.m. Wednesday, a Gillette police officer stopped a 1993 Harley Davidson for a traffic violation near the intersection of North Garner Lake Road and Kluver Road.

A Sheriff’s deputy drug dog indicated on the motorcycle, and a used meth pipe was found in the saddle bag, said Sheriff Scott Matheny.

A search of the 62-year-old turned up another used meth pipe and a small baggie with suspected meth, Matheny said.

Police arrested the man, Clayton Westover, for possession of a controlled substance and took him to the Campbell County Jail at 2:40 p.m., according to a press release from the Gillette Police Department.

During the ride to the jail, Westover told officers he felt sick. They got to the jail at 2:51 p.m., and officers asked for an ambulance.

EMS arrived six minutes later and took Westover to the emergency room. Westover was pronounced dead at 6:51 p.m.

An investigation into Westover’s death has been opened by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.

This story was published on April 4, 2024.