Nichols may have died of internal injuries from a blunt trauma. A medical expert told CNN after watching a video just released about his traffic stop on Friday.
They say body camera footage includes moments when an attack can damage organs, including the liver, lungs or brain, and damage to these organs can be fatal.
Nichols died three days after being found by police at the hospital.
Dr. Kendall von Crown, chief medical examiner in Tarrant County, Texas, noticed that Nichols’ thin build meant that his organs were “Millimeters under the skin” without padding or other protection from physical abuse
“When these kicks come in They hit what looks like the right side of his body,” he says. “You know your liver sits on that side. Therefore, he could easily be hit directly at the liver. This could cause his liver to tear or rupture. And that would cause blood to bleed in his abdomen. These could have broken his right rib. which may then be moved by subsequent kicks. and cause the lungs to tear or tear which caused the bleeding in his chest again.”
Internal hemorrhage may limit the amount of blood and oxygen reaching the brain. This could cause a person to be brain dead before they die.
Dr. Victor Weidn, a forensic pathologist at George Washington University, said it was not uncommon for people to die from external blood loss after beatings.
He especially noted the officials’ use of batons. This produces a more “focused” and powerful punch than a fist.
“Head injuries can be fatal” from brain swelling and bleeding, Weedn said. “When the brain is swollen, pressure builds and blood vessels collapse. when a blood vessel breaks blood cannot circulate and may die.”
CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta told CNN’s Erin Burnett, “The brain is the only organ in the body that doesn’t have room to bloat. because it was wrapped in a skull.”
“The result is Some people may pass out slowly. and more and more That seems to be what happened to Ms. Nichols,” he said.
Internal bleeding can quickly become life-threatening.
Doctors aren’t equipped to help someone with such an internal injury, Von Crowns said. The goal is to get him to the hospital for emergency surgery or a blood transfusion as soon as possible.
“We’re talking minutes,” he said. “He needs immediate treatment.”
Video shows that medical help arrived minutes later after Nichols was lifted onto the side of the car with his hands behind his back.
“A lot of time wasted there, which is very important for people who are critically ill. lying on the floor handcuffed there without anyone taking care of him,” Gupta said.
