Family wants answers in Carpentersville man's death

Joshua Paul, front, pictured here with his fiance, Jeff Bolek, died Aug. 18 after being pulled over for a routine traffic stop by Carpentersville police. Paul's family wants answers from authorities as to what caused his death. Courtesy of Jeff Bolek

The family of a Carpentersville man who died unexpectedly after a routine police traffic stop is demanding authorities provide an explanation of his death.

Joshua Paul, 31, died Aug. 18 at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin, where he was taken after being stopped by two Carpentersville police officers for suspected traffic violations.

Paul was a graduate of Larkin High School in Elgin and worked in the restaurant industry as a server.

"At this point, the family wants to know what happened," said Brian Perkins, a St. Charles attorney representing Paul's family. "Clearly something went wrong. He left (home) healthy and fine. There was no clue that he wouldn't come back. He was 100 percent normal."

Authorities have not revealed the cause of death nor the extent of Paul's injuries. The Illinois State Police Public Integrity Unit is investigating the death and the officers' involvement.

Perkins said the family hasn't gotten any answers more than a week after Paul's death. They want to know what condition he was in when he arrived at the hospital and what statements were made at the time.

"They haven't received any information from the Carpentersville Police Department or Illinois State Police because the investigation is still pending," Perkins said. "It's a mystery now. We obviously respect the law enforcement process and it has to take place in a controlled manner."

The state police report could take anywhere from two weeks to two months, spokeswoman Monique Bond said.

Perkins said it's not clear why police stopped Paul.

Police have said the officers believed Paul was driving with a revoked license and was wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant for previous traffic violations. Paul got into a physical struggle with the officers who were trying to place him under arrest and suffered a cut on his chin, police said.

Paramedics were called, but when Paul reached the hospital, medical personnel said there were other complications beyond the cut on his chin, police said.

Kane County Coroner Rob Russell said this week toxicology results and the doctor's report on Paul's autopsy are pending.

In the meantime, Perkins said his firm is going to conduct its own investigation. Perkins' trial firm, Meyers & Flowers LLC, represents plaintiffs primarily in wrongful death lawsuits.

"We can use the subpoena power, FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) power, and we also have access to medical records," he said.