Ventura man who died fleeing police died from drug overdose, autopsy shows

VENTURA, Calif. - A Ventura man who ran from deputies and then collapsed in a field in December died of a methamphetamine overdose, according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office.

28-year-old Miguel Burciaga Jr. fled from deputies on Dec. 3, as they tried to arrest him for an outstanding felony warrant.

Deputies lost sight of Burciaga as he ran through a backyard and over a fence.

They then saw Burciaga from a distance as he ran across a field and collapsed.

It appeared Burciaga was experiencing a medical emergency.

Burciaga was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

His death was investigated by the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau and the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office.