Bodycam released: Medical examiner ruled Conway PD in-custody death of Deitric Williams an accident

The in-custody death of Deitric Williams Jr. has been ruled an accident.

Conway police stated in a Facebook post that medical examiners cited "complications from Sickle Cell Trait" as the cause of Williams' death.

"Contrary to social media rumors, there was no instance where officers caused harm to Mr. Williams," the post said. "The medical examiner attributed Mr. Williams' passing to 'Complications from Sickle Cell Trait,' ruling it an accidental manner of death."

Medical examiners also cited exertion, apprehension, and methamphetamine use as contributors to Williams' death, with toxicology testing showing that methamphetamine was present in his system.

On July 18, 2023, Conway police received a call regarding a domestic disturbance at a local McDonald's.

Officers arrived on the scene and found Williams, with whom they engaged in a conversation. At some point during the interaction between the officers and Williams, police said he fled on foot to a nearby neighborhood.

Williams was eventually found behind a duplex and authorities attempted to detain him. Williams had told police that he was in medical distress, with officers calling for medical assistance.

Police said that Williams was then taken to the hospital, where he later died.