Widow of Tennessee Man Who Died in Custody Sues for $1M

The wife of a man who died in custody at the Kingsport City Jail has filed a $1 million wrongful death suit.

WJHL-TV reports Benjamin Honaker was arrested on Sept. 19, 2014, following a car crash. Officers said Honaker had trouble standing, talking and staying awake. He was charged with driving under the influence and taken to jail, where he was discovered not breathing the following day.

Judy Honaker filed the lawsuit in Sullivan County Circuit Court on Sept. 18. It names the city and two officers as defendants. The suit claims Benjamin Honaker died unnecessarily because the officers failed to provide adequate medical attention.

A Sullivan County Grand Jury found that Honaker died of a drug overdose.

The city did not return a call to the station seeking comment.