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Drugs Killed Man Who Died After Being Tasered

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Apr 4, 2008 7:15 pm US/Central

Drugs Killed Man Who Died After Being Tasered

ST. PAUL (AP) ― The death certificate for a Fridley man who was Tasered by State Troopers says he died because of cocaine and other drugs in his system.

The death certificate filed on Friday says 29-year-old Mark Backlund died of "consequences of mixed drug use." The drugs in his system included a pain reliever, a drug for schizophrenia, mania, and bipolar disorder.

Other factors in his death were physical exertion and restraint, a sedative, inflammation of his heart, and severe hardening of the arteries of his heart.

Backlund crashed his car on Interstate 694 in New Brighton in January.

A report filed by the State Troopers who used the Taser says Backlund tried to drive away from the crash scene, even though people stood in front of his car. He had no weapons.

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