SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A man who was running through traffic wearing only underwear and socks died after police used a Taser to subdue him, authorities say.
Police in Macomb County's Shelby Township said they had several reports early Saturday of "a man running around in several areas of the township in a state of undress." They found him near an intersection about 20 miles north of Detroit.
"Believing the man was having some sort of episode, officers called for Shelby Township paramedics," police said in a news release. They said when paramedics arrived, the man ran into traffic, and police officers used a Taser gun to subdue him with an electrical shock.
The man then lost consciousness and was declared dead at Troy Beaumont Hospital, police said.
Police declined to release other details, but he was identified by family as Steven Spears, a 49-year-old hair stylist, The Macomb Daily of Mount Clemens reported. His mother said she hopes an autopsy scheduled for Monday will answer some questions about his death.
"We don't know what happened before the police came," Linda Corneil said. "But we do feel he would be alive right now if they hadn't used the Taser on him. I think there should be a thorough review."
A funeral for Spears, a recently divorced father of four, was scheduled for Wednesday.
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