SOUTH CAROLINA MAN DIES AFTER SWALLOWING COCAINE FOLLOWING ARREST

SPRINGFIELD - A South Carolina man has died after apparently
swallowing bags of cocaine following a traffic stop in Effingham
County Thursday.

Kelly Anderson, 33, of Hardeeville, S.C. died Saturday night at
Memorial University Medical Center, Effingham County sheriff's
spokesman David Ehsanipoor said.

Anderson was a passenger in a Ford Ranger stopped by an Effingham
County deputy on Interstate 95 for an equipment violation about 12:30
a.m. Feb. 18, Ehsanipoor said.

"Anderson was taken into custody for possession of cocaine and drug
related objects, including a digital scale, Ehsanipoor said. "He had
an unknown amount of cocaine on his person and a large amount of cash."

The Effingham County deputy noticed Anderson acting strangely and
putting something in his mouth while transporting him to the Effingham
County Jail, Ehsanipoor said.

"The deputy immediately pulled over at Interstate 95 and Ga. 21 and
called for EMTs," Ehsanipoor said.

EMTs and the deputy struggled with Anderson and managed to remove one
bag of cocaine from his mouth, deputies reported.

Anderson was then transported to Memorial University Medical Center,
where he was released back into the sheriff's office custody,
Ehsanipoor said.

Anderson was taken back to the Effingham County jail. During the
booking process, he developed medical problems and became
unresponsive. Anderson was taken back to the Savannah hospital, where
he later died, Ehsanipoor said.

The Effingham County sheriff's office has asked the Georgia Bureau of
Investigation to conduct a death investigation due to Anderson
becoming ill while in the sheriff's office custody.

An autopsy at the GBI Savannah crime lab is scheduled for
Monday.

No charges were filed against the driver of the vehicle.