A 54-year-old Palm Coast man died overnight at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility following his arrest for driving under the influence after crashing into a building. Breathalyzer tests showed his blood alcohol content was more than four times the legal limit.
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded Thursday morning to a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of Corporate Drive North and Palm Coast Parkway in Palm Coast. The driver, identified as Vadim Valenteychik, told deputies he drove over the curb into the bushes and struck a building.
While speaking with Valenteychik, deputies detected a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. After completing their traffic crash investigation, they began a DUI investigation.
Deputies attempted to conduct field sobriety exercises but stopped due to safety concerns after Valenteychik, who was struggling to stand, swayed back and forth, and stumbled. Deputies found a large beer can on the driver’s seat floorboard inside his vehicle.
Valenteychik was arrested for DUI and DUI with property damage. He also received a traffic citation for possession of an open alcohol container.
Deputies transported Valenteychik to a local hospital for medical clearance. While at the hospital, he was given two breath tests. The first test showed a blood alcohol content of 0.325 percent, and the second showed 0.340 percent. Both readings were more than four times the legal limit of 0.08 percent.
After receiving medical clearance more than six hours later, Valenteychik was transported to the detention facility, where he was booked and placed in a single-person cell. Deputies conducted regular checks throughout the night. Shortly after 6 a.m. Friday morning, a detention deputy entered the cell and found Valenteychik unresponsive.
Deputies and detention facility medical staff immediately began life-saving measures, including the use of an automated external defibrillator, while waiting for Flagler County Fire Rescue. Fire rescue personnel later pronounced Valenteychik deceased.
Sheriff Rick Staly requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigate the death. At the conclusion of the FDLE investigation, the sheriff’s office will conduct an internal review to ensure all policies and procedures were followed. A clinical medical review is also being conducted by the jail’s medical provider as required by the sheriff’s office contract.
Court and Detention Services Chief Dan Engert addressed the circumstances surrounding the death. “Sadly, it is not uncommon for local jails to house inmates with significant health issues related to illicit drug and alcohol use,” Engert said. “Although he was medically cleared by a local hospital, and the exact cause of Mr. Valenteychik’s death is yet to be determined, research has shown that blood alcohol content levels between 0.30% and 0.35% have an extremely high risk of coma or death.”
Engert also extended sympathies to the family. “Losing a loved one is never easy, especially so unexpectantly. We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
In addition to his pending DUI charges, Valenteychik had a prior history of reckless driving and driving under the influence. He was convicted of DUI in 2015, which resulted in a six-month suspension of his driver’s license.
