Death Investigation Following Traffic Stop in Van Buren County

---

---

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VAN BUREN COUNTY, Mich. — On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at approximately 9:54 a.m., members of the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and Uniform Response Division observed a Ford pickup truck commit multiple traffic violations. Detectives also recognized the driver as an individual they believed to have a suspended driver’s license.

Deputies and detectives conducted a traffic stop. During the stop, investigators observed the driver appeared to ingest an unknown substance before taking a drink from a beverage. As deputies approached the vehicle, they observed the driver appear to ingest a second quantity of an unknown substance.

The driver, Nathan Matthews, a 41-year-old male from Bloomingdale, was removed from the vehicle. Detectives observed suspected narcotics residue on Matthews’ shirt and on the seat of the vehicle. When questioned, Matthews denied ingesting any narcotics or being in possession of illegal drugs.

A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of additional evidence consistent with methamphetamine. Because detectives were concerned about what Matthews may have ingested, they repeatedly asked him what substance he had consumed. Matthews continued to deny ingesting anything.

Based on the detectives’ observations prior to the traffic stop and the evidence recovered during the traffic stop, deputies transported Matthews to Bronson Lakeview Hospital for medical evaluation as a precaution. Upon arrival, while deputies were assisting Matthews from the patrol vehicle into the emergency department, he became unresponsive. Deputies immediately administered two doses of Narcan while hospital staff responded to the patrol vehicle and began providing emergency medical care.

Despite lifesaving efforts by deputies and hospital personnel, Matthews was later pronounced deceased by Bronson Lakeview Doctors. 

Consistent with standard protocol whenever an in-custody death occurs following law enforcement contact, the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office immediately requested the Michigan State Police to conduct an independent investigation into the incident. The Michigan State Police will investigate the circumstances surrounding the death, including interviews with witnesses and the involved deputies and detectives.

Upon completion of the investigation, the case will be forwarded to the Van Buren County Prosecutor’s Office for review, which is also standard procedure in incidents of this nature.

No further information is being released at this time as the investigation remains active.

Sheriff Daniel E. Abbott
Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office