An inmate passed away in the custody of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the agency announced on Friday. 54-year-old Vadim Valenteychik had been arrested for driving under the influence on Thursday.
Valenteychik was found unresponsive in his jail cell during regular checks just after 6:00 am Friday morning. Life-saving measures were attempted by deputies and medical staff at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, and Flagler County Fire Rescue later responded. Personnel with FCFR pronounced Valenteychik deceased.
Vadim Valenteychik’s Arrest
According to the FCSO, Valenteychik’s arrest came after deputies responded to a crashed vehicle at the intersection of Corporate Drive and Palm Coast Parkway. He reportedly told deputies at the scene that he’d driven over the curb and into some bushes. Deputies observed a noticeable smell of alcohol, and later administered sobriety tests. An empty beer can was later noticed in his vehicle.
These exercises were stopped after Valenteychik was apparently unable to complete them without stumbling around and struggling to stay on his feet. After being taken to the hospital for treatment, Valenteychik was given a blood-alcohol test. He reportedly registered a blood alcohol level of 0.325% and then 0.340% (the legal limit is 0.080%). After being medically cleared Valenteychik was arrested for driving under the influence and DUI with property damage. Both charges are misdemeanors.
According to the FCSO, checks were conducted regularly on Valenteychik and the other jail inmates throughout the night from Thursday into Friday. It wasn’t until the 6:00 am check that Valenteychik was found unresponsive, and later pronounced dead.
Aftermath
Vadim Valenteychik leaves behind a 17-year-old son. He used to own a local daycare business.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly has requested that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement conduct an investigation into Valenteychik’s death, the FCSO said in their statement on Friday. Once the FDLE concludes their investigation, the FCSO will conduct their own internal investigation. This will attempt to determine if all of the agency’s policies and procedures were properly adhered to.
“Sadly, it is not uncommon for local jails to house inmates with significant health issues related to illicit drug and alcohol use,” said Dan Engert, the FCSO’s Chief of Court and Detention Services. “Although he was medically cleared by a local hospital, and the exact cause of Mr. Valenteychik’s death is yet to be determined, research has shown that blood alcohol content levels between 0.30% and 0.35% have an extremely high risk of coma or death. Losing a loved one is never easy, especially so unexpectantly. We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Prior to his Thursday arrest, Valenteychik had two prior arrests on record in Flagler County. One was for another DUI in March 2015. The next was for violation of probation in April 2016. The FCSO stated that Valenteychik’s driver’s license was suspended for six months as a result of his 2015 arrest.
Chris Gollon is a Flagler County resident since 2004, as well as a staple of the local independent music scene and avid observer of Central Florida politics, arts, and recreation.
