MARTINEZ — A 32-year-old man died last year after being placed in a police neck hold, a forensic pathologist testified Tuesday.

Humberto Martinez, of Bay Point, died on July 26 after becoming unconscious during a fight with two Pittsburg officers inside a Hillview Drive residence, according to police testimony.

Martinez died from having the bloodstream to his brain cut off, but also had a “significant” concentration of methamphetamine in his system. That, combined with pre-existing health issues, contributed to the death, a forensic pathologist testified.

The Contra Costa coroner held an inquest hearing into Martinez’s death Tuesday, but details remain unclear; three Pittsburg officers testified that they fought with Martinez for roughly three minutes, and that several officers arrived to help them. But none of the officers called to testify were present for the end of the fight, when Martinez reportedly became unconscious. He was then was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead later that day.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Ikechi Ogan testified that Martinez had numerous cuts, bruises, and several broken ribs. He said Martinez had been struck with a stun gun twice and two darts remained in his body. He also said Martinez was obese, had liver and heart issues, and had a small amount of alcohol in his bloodstream.

“He was a lot more prone to this happening than a normal, healthy person,” Ogan testified.

It took roughly 20 minutes for the coroner’s inquest jury to rule his death an accident, which can include unintended consequences of human action. The ruling carries no civil or criminal liability, and the coroner’s inquest hearings — built to give third party oversight to law enforcement-related deaths — have less stringent rules than normal court hearings. Witnesses can watch each other testify, second-hand testimony is admitted and leading questions can be asked. In addition, audience members can submit questions.

The incident began when three officers tried to pull Martinez over, suspecting he might be involved in a narcotics transaction. He led them in a brief circle chase before exiting his car and running into the Hillview residence. The trio chased him into the home.

One of the officers remained in the garage, where two then-unidentified people were watching TV. The two other officers ended up in the kitchen, where they struggled to detain Martinez.

Pittsburg Officer Ernesto Mejia called it the longest fight of his career, and said that he gave numerous “stop resisting” commands.

Meija said he attempted to put Martinez in a one-handed carotid hold, but that he didn’t think the move had any effect. At one point, though, Martinez became unconscious, the officer testified.

After one of the officers put a handcuff on one of Martinez’s arms, however, he awoke and resumed the fight, Mejia testified. His partner, Pittsburg Officer Willie Glasper, testified he’d punched and elbowed Martinez in the chest numerous times.

A third officer arrived, then several more entered the residence, relieving the three from the fight. Mejia, Glasper, and the third officer testified that they left the residence, and one said he could hear a stun gun being deployed. Several minutes later, they witnessed Martinez being wheeled to an ambulance.

Martinez’s family filed a legal claim — a precursor to a lawsuit — in December. Julia Sherwin, an attorney representing Martinez’s family, said they’d been denied police reports detailing the incident.

“The amount of injuries is shocking and astounding,” said Michael Haddad, another lawyer representing the family. He said they expect to file a suit this year.

The carotid hold involves the use of both arms to squeeze certain arteries in a person’s neck. It is employed by many U.S. police departments but has drawn criticism because it can sometimes cause arteries to close and not re-open. Some police departments that allow carotid holds also restrict officers from employing them except in life-or-death situations.

In February 2016, 37-year-old Wendell Celestine Jr. died after an Antioch officer placed him in a carotid hold during a struggle. A coroner’s inquest jury also ruled Celestine’s death to be an accident.