Man in critical condition after harming himself in St. Joseph police car

By Jenna Wilson

A 24-year-old man is in critical condition after he “severely injured himself” as a St. Joseph police officer provided him transportation for a non-criminal situation Thursday night. 

According to a release from police Capt. Jeff Wilson, shortly after the ride began around 10:30 p.m., the man seriously harmed himself, resulting in a life-threatening injury.

The officer immediately took him to a local hospital, where he is in critical condition.

At the request of St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster, the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control responded to the hospital to investigate this incident.

The St. Joseph Police Department will also conduct an internal investigation.