A Jackson resident died shortly after he was arrested in Howell on May 26 in connection with the theft of a motor vehicle, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.
The cause and manner of death remain pending the results of an autopsy conducted on May 27 by the Middlesex County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office, according to the prosecutor.
Gramiccioni said Derek Boyle, 43, of Jackson, died shortly after being discovered in possession of a vehicle that had been stolen from a residence in Jackson. Boyle was found standing next to the vehicle at the time of his arrest in the area of Church Road and Tioga Drive in Howell.
The prosecutor said the Howell Police Department and Howell Volunteer First Aid Squad responded to a 911 call at 12:32 p.m. A caller reported seeing a man standing outside a vehicle and acting erratically.
Upon arriving at the scene, police officers determined the vehicle was stolen and that there were warrants for Boyle’s arrest. Gramiccioni said that while the officers were at the scene, Boyle’s condition began to deteriorate.
Emergency medical personnel deployed naloxone, a heroin overdose antidote. Boyle was subsequently taken via ambulance to Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus, Lakewood. Boyle was pronounced dead at the hospital at 1:47 p.m.
Gramiccioni said Howell police contacted the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office to alert the office of Boyle’s death. An investigation was launched and determined no physical force was used at any time on Boyle while he was in custody, according to the prosecutor.
Howell Police Chief Andrew Kudrick issued the following statement after Boyle’s death was reported by the prosecutor’s office: “I am confident the actions, supported by video evidence, taken by my officers are consistent with the professional and high standards of conduct and performance they display every day.”
An obituary provided by the George S. Hassler Funeral Home, Jackson, states that Boyle was born in Syracuse, N.Y., and lived in Cazenovia, N.Y., and Baldwinsville, N.Y., before settling in Jackson 15 years ago. He is survived by his wife, Elena Boyle; daughters, Rebecca and Ella Boyle; mother, Birgitta McLaughlin; and brothers, Mitch and Ryan McLaughlin.
A joint investigation by the prosecutor’s office and Howell police is ongoing. Anyone with information may call Detective Ryu Washburne of the prosecutor’s office at 1-800-533-7443 or Lt. John Yurgel of the Howell police at 732-620-4280.
According to the prosecutor, anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous, but has information about a crime may contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers’ confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers. com. Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives.