Santa Barbara County reports inmate hit his head and died

October 3, 2024

By KAREN VELIE

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department reported today that a 40-year-old inmate died of brain trauma after suffering a seizure and hitting his head on the ground last month. The coroner determined that Antonio Alvarado Orozco of Santa Maria died as a result of blunt force traumatic brain injury. The death was ruled an accident.

On August 29, officers and surveillance cameras observed Orozco having a seizure and falling over. With the help of prison staff and medical staff, the inmate temporarily regained consciousness.

Emergency responders transported the inmate to Marion Regional Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery.

While he was still hospitalized, the county released Orozco from custody on Sept. 13. He died four days later.