CORDELE — An inmate died at Crisp Regional Hospital after complaining to officers he felt dizzy.

According to reports from the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office, just before 7 a.m. on Sunday, June 7 officers from the Crisp County Detention Center received a call from an inmate in one of the cells informing them that another inmate had fallen.

Officers responded to the cell and found 43-year old Eric Bernard Newsome lying on the floor complaining of dizziness. The officers contacted Crisp County EMS who responded to the scene and checked Mr. Newsome. EMS personnel informed officers that Newsome needed to be taken to the hospital for further evaluation. Detention staff removed Newsome from the cell and transported him to the hospital. Once at the hospital Mr. Newsome was just unable to overcome whatever medical condition caused him to be ill and he was pronounced deceased at 8:55 a.m. at Crisp Regional.

Although there was no trauma involved and it was believed to be a medical illness, Sheriff Hancock followed standard protocol involving the death of any inmate in custody, and notified the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to lead the investigation and determine a cause of death. The investigation is ongoing at this time. Sheriff Hancock and the staff of Crisp County Sheriff’s Office offer their condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Newsome.