TAMPA, Fla. — A man darting in and out of traffic overnight on Causeway Boulevard led deputies on a chase and then bit one on the hand, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.
The incident took place just before 12:30 a.m. Thursday on Causeway Boulevard west of 50th Street near the Courtney Campbell Causeway, the agency said.
Spokesperson Crytal Clark said deputies received calls about a man darting in and out of traffic on Causeway Boulevard. Deputies attempted to get him off the road and he then led them on a chase, Clark said.
He became "physically violent" when deputies caught up to him, biting one on the hand several times, she said.
Once he was in custody, Clark said he had a "medical episode."
The man was taken to a hospital where doctors told investigators he had several drugs, including meth, in his system. He was later pronounced dead Friday evening.
Law enforcement says it also has reason to believe the man was a victim of a crime before his interaction with law enforcement.
The sheriff's office says the department is working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Medical Examiner's Office to determine a cause of death.
The deputy was also taken to the hospital for her hand and arm injuries. She is expected to be OK, Clark said.
Causeway Boulevard was shut down for several hours but has since reopened, investigators said.