Woman dies following DWI arrest in Rowlett

Police suspect an overdose of drugs ingested prior to the arrest, but toxicology reports are pending.

ROWLETT — A woman died on December 30 following an arrest for suspicion of DWI.

Rowlett police arrested Sandra E. Otten, 45, for suspicion of Driving While Intoxicated and booked her into the Rowlett Jail at approximately 3:45 a.m. December 30. Upon her arrest, Otten was taken to Lake Point Medical Center for a mandatory blood draw. While there, a medical professional took a blood sample. Otten was then transported back to the Rowlett Jail and placed into a cell.

At approximately 11:45 a.m., detention staff members attempted to wake Otten for arraignment and found her breathing normally and snoring. They tried to wake her again at 2 p.m. and found her still snoring and breathing normally. They examined her pulse and determined it was normal as well.

When officers checked on Otten again at 2:15 p.m., she was not making any sounds, so they advised dispatch to call emergency medical personnel to check on her. Rowlett Fire Department paramedics arrived and started assessing Otten. Otten was then transported to Lake Point Medical Center by ambulance.

"We did what we were supposed to do. The officers monitored her and communicated with each [other]," said John Ellison, police spokesman. "When she became unresponsive, the officers called EMS and they treated her and transported her to Lake Point Medical Center."

Once Otten arrived at the hospital, she was treated by the medical staff on duty.

Otten died at approximately 10:50 p.m. on December 30.

"She didn't die here at the jail. She died at the hospital while she was there," Ellison said.

Police suspect drugs ingested prior to Otten's arrest were the cause of death. The case is still under investigation pending toxicology reports.