A McCleary man knocked on the door of the McCleary Police Department seeking assistance around 6:30 p.m. July 1 after taking too much methamphetamine.

According to a press release from the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Department, after waiting for help to arrive, the man voluntarily got into the aid vehicle and followed requests asked of him by paramedics. During an examination by paramedics, the man became violent and began punching those assisting him.

After striking the officer with him in the vehicle, the man ran into traffic on Highway 108. The officer, after calling for backup, pursued in an attempt to get the man out of the highway. As the man’s violence continued, the officer tried to use his stun gun to end the attack and get him out of traffic.

During the attempt the man had what looked like a medical event after which he collapsed. Paramedics tried to revive him but he was pronounced dead just before 7:30 p.m. The McCleary officer was taken to Summit Pacific Hospital in Elma to be treated for injuries.

The Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death.