Police say man showed ‘excited delirium’

A man who fought with Spokane Valley police Tuesday was hospitalized after showing signs of “excited delirium,” which police describe as a medical emergency fed by a mix of extreme mental and physical excitement, often fueled by drugs or alcohol.

The condition was cited in the 2006 death of Otto Zehm, a mentally ill man who was Tasered and restrained following a scuffle with Spokane police, who believed he was a robbery suspect. Authorities have since been trained to recognize symptoms.

On Tuesday night, police went to 4512 E. 14th to arrest Raymond S. Wheatley on four outstanding warrants, said Sgt. Dave Reagan, a spokesman for the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and Spokane Valley police.

A fight ensued in which Wheatley grabbed an officer’s Taser and tried to use it on him, Reagan said. Wheatley, 39, who police say had ingested crack cocaine, went limp as they were walking him to a patrol car in handcuffs, Reagan said.

Medics were called, Reagan said, and Wheatley was taken to a hospital where he was in stable condition Tuesday night.

Wheatley, wanted on warrants for third-degree assault on law enforcement and reckless driving, also was arrested for third-degree assault on law enforcement and resisting arrest, based on the fight.