A McCleary man who knocked on the door of the police station there to ask for help and later died after struggling with those trying to help him, died of an overdose of methamphetamine, according to a report from the Grays Harbor County coroner.
Donald Greene, 57, knocked on the police station door July 1. After waiting for help to arrive, Greene voluntarily got into the aid vehicle and followed requests from paramedics. During an examination by paramedics, he became violent and began punching those assisting him, police said.
After striking the officer with him in the vehicle, Greene ran into traffic on Highway 108. The officer called for backup and attempted to get Greene out of the highway. As Greene continued to be violent, the officer attempted to use his stun gun to end the attack and get Greene out of traffic.
During the attempt Greene had what looked like a medical event after which he collapsed, police said. Paramedics tried to revive him but he was pronounced dead. The McCleary officer was taken to Summit Pacific Medical Center in Elma to be treated for injuries.
The cause of death is listed as “acute methamphetamine intoxication,” according to county Coroner Lane Youmans. The manner of death is listed as an accident.