Carpentersville man's death after traffic stop remains a mystery

Joshua Paul, front, pictured here with his fiance, Jeff Bolek, is being remembered for his outgoing demeanor and caring personality. Paul died Aug. 18 after being involving in a traffic stop with Carpentersville police. Courtesy of Jeff Bolek

Details surrounding the unexpected death of a Carpentersville man after a routine police traffic stop last week are still sketchy, but authorities said Monday the man had a medical condition that was not apparent.

Joshua Paul, 31, died Aug. 18 at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin.

Authorities have not revealed the cause of death, and Paul's death is being investigated by the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Unit.

Two Carpentersville police officers pulled over Paul's vehicle for a traffic violation at about 5:26 p.m. Aug. 17 in the 200 block of Springhill Road, according to a police statement released Monday.

The officers suspected Paul was operating the vehicle with a revoked driver's license and was wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant for previous traffic violations, police said.

After confirming Paul's identity and that he was driving on a revoked driver's license with an outstanding arrest warrant for traffic-related offenses, the officers tried to place him under arrest, police said.

Paul stepped away from the two officers and tried to enter his vehicle, police said. He was taken into custody after a "brief physical struggle" during which Paul suffered a laceration to his chin, police said.

Officers called paramedics to the scene and Paul was transported to Sherman Hospital for treatment of the laceration, police said.

Medical personnel then told officers that Paul required medical attention beyond treatment for the cut on his chin, police said.

Paul's condition deteriorated at the hospital where he died several hours later, police said.

The Carpentersville Police Department requested an independent investigation into Paul's death by the state police.

"Carpentersville police officials are sharing all pertinent information regarding this matter with Illinois State Police investigators," according to the statement.

The officers involved in the arrest remain on duty.

"Out of respect to the family and loved ones of Mr. Paul, and in order to ensure that a thorough and independent investigation is performed by the Illinois State Police, no further details regarding this matter will be released at this time," the statement read.

Though an autopsy of Paul's body had been performed, the results were not immediately available.

"We are still waiting for the toxicology and the doctor's protocol for a cause and manner of death," Kane County Coroner Rob Russell said Monday.

Paul grew up in Chicago and Elgin, graduated from Larkin High School and worked in the restaurant industry as a server, according to a family member. A memorial service for Paul was held Saturday at Laird Funeral Home in Elgin. An online fundraiser to help cover Paul's final expenses can be found by visiting gofundme.com and searching for Joshua Paul.