The family of an inmate who died four days after Indian River County deputies found him unconscious in a transport van filed a wrongful death lawsuit today in federal court.
Jill Alexander, the ex-wife of Brad Martinez and the mother of their 12-year-old son is suing the Indian River County sheriff and deputy Christopher Sharkey.
An autopsy determined Mitchell Martinez died from an adverse reaction to the drug 'adderall'.
Martinez's family paid for a second autopsy. It revealed he died as a result of blunt force trauma to his neck and a lack of oxygen to the brain.
The suit accuses the deputy of intentional battery, negligence and blames the sheriff for causing the death of martinez while he was in his custody.
The Indian River County Sheriff's Office says it would not comment on pending litigation.
