Vadim Valenteychik, a 54-year-old resident of Furness Place in Palm Coast, died today at the Flagler County jail following an arrest on a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, in a release, suggested the death was likely the result of alcohol poisoning.
Valenteychik leaves behind a 17-year-old son. Before his divorce a little over a year ago, he had been associated with his wife in a family daycare center. He had frequently struggled with financial difficulties over recent years.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to a vehicle crash just before 10 a.m. on Thursday on Corporate Drive in Palm Coast. Valenteychik told deputies he’d driven his 2023 Kia over a curb and struck a business there. Deputies noticed that he might he impaired. He told deputies he’d had one beer, though he was swaying, and could not complete field sobriety exercises. A 25-ounce can of beer was on the floorboard of his car.
He was arrested and at his request taken to AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway, where at 11:44 and 11:46 a.m. Valenteychik took two breath tests. The first produced a reading of 0.325 blood-alcohol level, the second, 0.340, according to his arrest report. The legal limit to drive in Florida is 0.08.
The sheriff’s release states he was released from the hospital with medical clearance more than six hours after arriving there, booked at the jail and placed in a single-person cell, where inmates under observation are typically held.
“Throughout the night,” the release states, “deputies conducted regular checks and shortly after 6 a.m. Friday morning, a detention deputy entered the cell and found Valenteychik unresponsive. Deputies and detention facility medical staff immediately began life saving measures, including the use of an automated external defibrillator while waiting for Flagler County Fire Rescue. [Paramedics] later pronounced Valenteychik deceased.
Sheriff Rick Staly requested that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement independently investigate the death, following which the Sheriff’s Office will conduct its own internal investigation “ to ensure all policies and procedures were followed,” the release states. “In addition, a clinical medical review is being conducted by the jail’s medical provider as required” by the contract with the sheriff.
“Sadly, it is not uncommon for local jails to house inmates with significant health issues related to illicit drug and alcohol use,” Court and Detention Services Chief Dan Engert is quoted as saying in the release. “Losing a loved one is never easy, especially so unexpectedly. We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Valenteychik’s is the third death of an inmate since 2019, the first at the jail itself. In September 2023, an inmate found hanging in his cell died five days later at a local hospital. In 2019, an inmate who had been ill and complaining of fevers at the jail was brain dead soon after he was taken a local hospital, where he subsequently died. His death prompted a change in medical provider at the jail, though that provider was subsequently replaced by PrimeCare Medical, the current provider. The jail earned a health care accreditation in 2024.
Atul says
What a JOKE. I was arrested back in 2022 deprived of all of my prescriptions and ended up having a hand mail seizure and was found unconscious on the floor hours later. Watching my ASS!!
Skibum says
Try being admitted to a hospital and telling them you will bring your own prescriptions in with you instead of having whatever is prescribed reviewed and given to you from the hospital’s pharmacy! It doesn’t happen. Same in jail… the medical clearance is done then jail medical staff is responsible for whatever you need to be given as far as Rx. That is how it works, or supposed to work.
Not a unicorn says
Bottom line, Advent hospitals in Palm Coast do not have any detox centers. It’s as if people want the world to think Palm coast has no alcoholics which is a big lie. They are everywhere. So, the sheriff’s dept should’ve transported this patient to advent in Deland to detox safely. That wasn’t done. Advent in Palm Coast needs to have detox centers and rehab centers. They’d rather judge and make fun of this kind of patient and discharge them prematurely and they’ll keep doing it with dire consequences.
Joe D says
As a Registered Nurse ( retired), Master’s prepared Clinical Nurse Specialist, and retired Certified Nurse Case Manager with 43 year of Nursing experience, I would like to know what the police policy is defined for “frequent” checks on an inmate who has been arrested under the influence of drugs or alcohol? It SHOULD BE once per hour checks to make sure they are breathing, etc. I ALSO wonder what type of MEDICAL CLEARANCE was done with a patient with a blood alcohol level of this suspect? Did they just check for injuries and ask him about pre-existing medical conditions. I’d be interested in what the autopsy results conclude as to the OFFICIAL cause of death.
There are a lot of questions about this unfortunate incident, which need to be answered. There are quite a few detainees with drug and alcohol intoxication under arrest in Flagler County. Once the autopay results are completed and filed, it may be time to review local policies AGAIN, and seek out what other jurisdictions are doing to prevent this kind of tragedy from occurring again.
My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of this clearly STRUGGLING individual.
RentCareless says
My wife was there when he crashed into the building. She had told me he smelled like alcohol. It isn’t surprising that he was charged with a DUI but it’s surprising that he died. We would love to know what they find was the actual cause and not speculation.
jim says
to release a patient who’s blood contains ALMOST 40% alcohol in TOTALLY REPREHENSIBLE … and doesn’t say much about the staff and Advent itself going to be QUITE COSTLY
ChipD says
I believe that .40% means the 4% of his blood was alcohol, not 40%.
jim says
Sorry Chip D., You’re wrong 4% of aldohol is a joke 40% is what KILLS Why do u think kids die of alcohol poisoning at frat parties and hazings? Why do u think this man died? The below statement is taken from a medical journal I know this because i was major player in DUI for many many years
If your blood contains 40% alcohol, your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level would be 40%. This level is extremely high and is considered potentially lethal, as it can lead to severe impairment and even death. Generally, a BAC level above 0.40% is considered dangerous and can result in coma or death
Miguel McIcemissed says
As an employee close to the matter
I find it interesting that sheriffs (questionable) at the scene mentioned to maintenance staff about the victims’ behavior, and made jokes about the victims convulsions, even calling med staff at one point. Look into that, Pierre.
This sheriff will cover up anything that besmirches his perfect justice record.
Nikki says
He died almost 24 hours after the incident… it was likely from detox that was untreated..
Lance Carroll says
A .340 blood alcohol content? Doesn’t seem like six hours is enough time to sleep that off before being released from hospital…
Was there a blood alcohol content test performed as a standard level for hospital discharge? Is there a standard for blood alcohol maximum for discharge?
I believe I pose reasonable questions.
Medicus says
As a medical professional I can tell you there is no set limit of alcohol. Some resources will tell you 0.200 is safe. Others 0.300. But a chronic alcoholic can have a level of 0.400 and be normal functioning because that is just a normal day for them while a teenager who has never drank can be severely intoxicated at 0.100.
Ann Williams says
The question here should not be what did the Sheriff’s Department do wrong; but, why did the hospital release a man that was this intoxicated; especially if he had some kind of seizures that put him in the hospital in the first place.
Bryan says
You think that drunk people should be in the hospital? There would be no room for sick people.
Not a unicorn says
Do we t”think” he should have remained in hospital? We know he should’ve. Addiction is a disease like any other disease not a lack of character to be treated like garbage. You could read about it. They are medical professionals and know this.
What if it was your grown child?
Skibum says
Ann, your comment is more on target here than some of the other comments on this article that I have read above. Law enforcement staff are not medically trained, obviously. If he was seen by hospital staff and cleared for booking in the county jail, then observed occasionally by jail staff at the required intervals, there most likely is no liability on the part of FCSO. Medical staff who gave the clearance on the other hand, well, that may be an open question.
Inmates in any county jail often will lay down and go to sleep in their jail cell after an arrest. Jail staff monitoring in custody arrestees don’t wake up every sleeping inmate when they do checks to ensure they are still alive, especially at night when most of them are in their beds. If there are obvious signs that there is something wrong, then they will respond accordingly. The jail staff’s checks are to ensure that the people in custody are still there and accounted for… that is the primary focus and responsibility of the officers who work there. Jail staff must rely on the expertise of medical staff who cleared this intoxicated individual that he would be ok to be placed in the jail. If the hospital staff felt otherwise and indicated he needed more care than that provided at the county jail, they would not have given the medical clearance in the first place.
It is regrettable that this individual passed away. At this point it is not known if his death was due to his intoxication level or something else. People die in hospitals while under the care of hospital staff and various doctors, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the staff were in any way negligent. Too many people have a tendency to jump to conclusions with no evidence to support their assertions.
Concerned Citizen says
This agency continues to have problems. And everyone is held accountable except Wyatt Earp.
This grand standing cowboy wannabe has Deputies getting left and right. And inmates dying in the jail. Everyone gets disciplined but the Sheriff himself.
Why am I being hard on Sheriff Earp?
I have spent over 35 years in law Enforcement between the Airforce and the civilian world. Then the last 10 years in Fire Rescue after I got married. And my wife wanted me to have a safer career. Safer? LOL? Anyways.
The biggest thing I learned as my career progressed was chain of command. And leadership. Both start at the top. In the Airforce I was blessed to have a good C/O and that leadership style reflected on our command. As I progressed thru the ranks. I learned what leadership was about. And the most important thing I took with me was being responsible for my Airmen at all times. it was the same with the Sheriff’s Office I served in for almost 15 years. We had good bosses. And good Deputies. The Fire Service wasn’t much different.
Somewhere along the years there has been a change in the public safety culture. And not a good one. Deputies and Fire Fighters seem to be getting younger. And Sheriff’s and Police Chiefs are more politician than they are Cops. This guy we got here in Flagler. Background in Orange County aside, has built his own empire. He has remained unchallenged. And can do no wrong. Yet he has one of the worst agencies I’ve seen in awhile.
I hope FDLE does a thorough investigation. And includes the Sheriff. Leadership starts at the top. And he is responsible for his agency 24/7/365.
Skibum says
You have your experience and opinion on Sheriff Staly, and I can appreciate that. I don’t happen to share your opinion. I too have had many, many years in law enforcement out on the west coast, 29 years in fact. I think for the most part he is doing a commendable job here in Flagler County, although I have stated in the past that I wish he would cease making post arrest commentary on what seems nearly every single arrest that media and journalists cover.
It appears to me that he is holding his people responsible, or I should say as much as allowed per the laws and regulations pertaining to HR and collective bargaining govern those internal actions. I know many people want even more accountability, but without being in his shoes, how do we know from outside appearances that he is not fulfilling those responsibilities.
I don’t happen to believe the sheriff is going way overboard on his budget and staffing requests, because our county’s population has been growing each and every year and he needs to make those requests that he feels are appropriate and necessary. We are all fortunate to live in a much safer part of the state than many other areas, and I’d prefer to give the sheriff the resources he needs to keep it that way.
I could certainly be mistaken, and if so I apologize, but it sounds to me as if you might have some kind of axe to grind with our sheriff. If enough people are dissatisfied with the job Staly is doing, they can always elect someone else who may or may not end up doing a better job running that agency. But be careful of what you might wish for. As sheriffs go here in this wacko, republican gerrymandered state, I believe we could do a whole lot worse, and would much prefer to have Sheriff Staly over a number of the extremist maga sheriff types in other counties!
Kennan says
I agree Skibum!
I wish maybe there was a little less horse riding, spur shinin etc… Remember the old Green roof inn stuff on the radio?
Anyway, beyond all that he has made our community pretty safe. Thank you for your comment!
Flagler Frank says
Here’s an idea:
What if the Sheriff created a program similar to “Adopt-A-Road” — call it “Adopt-A-Prisoner.”
Under this program, when a person is arrested for any number of crimes and is deemed by the Sheriff to be a medical vulnerability, the very commenters who constantly criticize every arrest report—whether accurate or not—could volunteer to care for that individual in their own homes.
They would be responsible for providing a stress-free, safe, and medically appropriate environment until the individual’s trial or final disposition.
If commenters feel so strongly that law enforcement, detention staff, and the justice system are always wrong, this would finally allow them to put their money where their mouths are.
After all, nothing demonstrates confidence in one’s criticism quite like opening your front door and adopting a prisoner.
Concerned Citizen says
Or hear me out..
The Sheriff could hire competent staff. You can’t deny that this agency hasn’t had some very serious issues on various levels of staffing.
Sheriff Earp is still responsible for his agency.
Not a unicorn says
Local Advent hospitals need to be required to do more in-service and training on anxiety, depression and addiction. They are aware these issues often bring people into their ED yet Advent admin. appears to not be apprised of how to help their patients with this issue. Addiction is a disease and should be treated as such by medical professionals rather than judging the person. Treating addiction as a disease is not a new concept in medicine. Yes, hospital Doc’s and staff need more education and training in this area so they can help the patient which is the reason they are there. It’s their job, their obligation to treat patients not judge them. They discharged a patient who was not stable for discharge.
Wtf says
Why does no one see the big picture? When a police officer is injured, he, or she is taken to Volusia county for treatment, no questions ask, when an inmate, supposedly innocent, until proven guilty, is sent to a hospital, that is not sufficient to care for an officer. We civilians are considered dirtbags, when any officer that breaks the law, deserves due proses. Don’t worry Staley, karma is a real thing, and yours is going to bite you one day.
TR says
I don’t think you’re correct about officers taken to Volusia unless it has something to do with trama. Same applies to citizens. This particular inmate was proven guilty of being drunk while driving. I think you may have all your facts wrong.
Shark says
Don’t hold your breath if you expect that they find someone responsible. Still waiting to hear what happened to Ardit Coma’s 88 mph in a 55 mph zone and Kailen & Bryan Jacksons stray bullet shooting !!! FCSO are all Sovern Citizens !!!!
TR says
Officer Coma’s charges where dropped and he was suspended for two days. Don’t know about Jacksons stray shooting.
Land of no turn signals says says
Vadim has to share most of the responsibility here but putting himself in this situation.Probably not for the first time.