Homicide, injuries ruled out in jail death

An autopsy of an inmate who died in Spokane County Jail on Saturday showed no sign of homicidal violence or traumatic injuries from a crash earlier that day, officials said Monday.

The cause and manner of David G. Weilby’s death are pending toxicology results, said Spokane County sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Reagan.

The 65-year-old was found dead about 10:20 p.m. Saturday in a holding cell at the jail, officials said. An hour earlier, the Spokane man had signed papers to be released after a relative posted bail for him.

But family members told the Sheriff’s Office they weren’t surprised about Weilby’s death and that he’d been sick for awhile, Reagan said.

On Saturday, Weilby was driving his 1990 Dodge Spirit southbound on Market Street when he made a left turn at Euclid Avenue in front of a northbound vehicle, causing a crash, said Spokane police Cpl. Tom Lee. The crash occurred about 4:14 p.m. and involved a pickup truck driven by off-duty Spokane police Officer Don B. O’Connell, who was with his wife and son. O’Connell’s wife was taken to the hospital with neck and back pain.

A woman who saw the crash called 911, Lee said.

After the crash, paramedics at the scene told police Weilby smelled of alcohol and exhibited signs of intoxication but appeared uninjured, Lee said. Weilby was booked into the jail about 7 p.m. on suspicion of driving under the influence after police gave him field sobriety tests and a breath-alcohol test. Weilby was also cited for having no driver’s license, no insurance and failure to yield.