An inmate died at the Deschutes County jail Sunday, according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.

Edwin Burl Mays, 31, of Bend, was brought into the jail at about 5:40 p.m. Sunday. He was still in the booking area when he began showing signs of medical distress, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies began rendering aid until Bend Fire Department arrived at the jail. Mays was pronounced dead by medics at about 9:30 p.m., according to Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Legal Counsel Darryl Nakahira.

Mays’ death appears to be due to medical issues, according to the sheriff’s office. Mays’ body was sent to the state medical examiner’s office in Clackamas for an autopsy Monday, Nakahira said.

The arrest

Mays was arrested on suspicion of interfering with a police officer, menacing, providing false information to a police officer, possession of heroin and a parole violation Sunday, according to the sheriff’s office.

Mays was detained Sunday afternoon after a police chase in northeast Bend, according to Bend Police Sgt. Todd Fletcher. Mays was a passenger in a car driven by Adam Lee Davenport, 32, of Bend, who was also lodged in the Deschutes County jail.

At about 4:20 p.m. Sunday, Bend Police recognized Davenport as he was driving a green 1997 Pontiac Grand Am. The officer knew Davenport had a warrant for a felony parole violation, according to Fletcher.

Davenport failed to yield to the officer and proceeded to lead authorities on a chase, reaching speeds up to 50 mph, until it reached a cul-de-sac on NE Moonlight Drive.

When the vehicle stopped at the end of the road, Davenport exited the vehicle and ran northeast through several residential yards.

Mays was detained at the vehicle. Other officers responded and formed a perimeter around the area to search for Davenport, who was found hiding in a yard on NE Mistletoe Court and taken into custody. No one was injured in the pursuit, but a fence was damaged, according to Fletcher.

Davenport was arrested on a parole violation warrant and on suspicion of attempting to elude police, second-degree criminal trespass, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and reckless endangering.

— Reporter: 541-383-0376, cwithycombe@bendbulletin.com