Man Dies After Being Shoved in New Bedford Jail

The Bristol County District Attorney's Office is investigating the death of a New Bedford man after a brief stay in the Ash Street Jail.

DA Spokesman Greg Milliote tells WBSM News 59-year-old Egidio Batista was placed in protective custody in the jail Saturday night at the request of his daughter because he was drunk.

Batista was placed in a cell with three other men, one of whom allegedly shoved Batista, causing him to fall to the floor and hit his head. Batista was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead Sunday morning.

The cellmate, 24-year-old Luis Mojica of New Bedford, has been arraigned on assault and battery charges. He was ordered held on $1,500 bail. It's unclear if he is still in police custody.

Milliote says a preliminary autopsy on Batista's body was conducted Monday, but the medical examiner says he needs more time to determine an official cause and manner of death.