Collins, a U.S. Army veteran, was in custody at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office (Georgia) on February 4, 2024 on charges of obstruction of law enforcement and simple battery after an incident on I‑85.

Written by

Collins, a U.S. Army veteran, was in custody at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office (Georgia) on February 4, 2024 on charges of obstruction of law enforcement and simple battery after an incident on I‑85. FOX 5 Atlanta+2AJC+2
On March 13, 2024, he collapsed in his housing unit inside the jail after what prosecutors say was ingestion of a fentanyl‑laced drug. FOX 5 Atlanta+2https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com+2
Video obtained by his family shows Collins lying on the floor unresponsive for more than three hours while jail staff allegedly failed to provide CPR, Narcan, or other lifesaving measures. Ben Crump+2AJC+2
He suffered cardiac arrest and anoxic brain injury, was taken to a hospital, and died two days later (March 15, 2024). 95.5 WSB+1
His family alleges that staff ignored repeated pleas for help by other inmates and that the facility’s response was delayed and inadequate. FOX 5 Atlanta+1
An inmate, Tobias Woods, was indicted in November 2024 for providing the fentanyl. https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com+1

The family, represented by attorney Ben Crump and others, filed a federal civil‑rights wrongful death lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, naming the sheriff, detention officers, and an EMT as defendants. WSB-TV Channel 2 – Atlanta+1
They argue that the prison officials displayed deliberate indifference to his medical needs, which violated his constitutional rights. FOX 5 Atlanta+1
They also demand policy changes, punitive damages, and accountability for systemic failures inside the jail. 95.5 WSB+1

Collins reportedly dealt with PTSD and mental‐health issues following his military service, and his family says the jail should have treated him as someone needing care rather than just detention. FOX 5 Atlanta+1
There are discrepancies in reports about his toxicology: the medical examiner’s report said fentanyl was in his system, while other documents showed no drugs. FOX 5 Atlanta+1
The family and attorneys say that the case raises broader questions about how jails handle veterans, mentally ill detainees, drug contraband, and medical emergencies in custody. https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com+1

Comments