Footage from 2020 shows California Highway Patrol officers kneeling on man until he dies

Previously unreleased footage shows a shocking scene from 2020 in which California Highway Patrol officers attempt to restrain an intoxicated man for a blood alcohol test, and the man dies after informing the officers he cannot breathe.

The footage, which was likely shot for training purposes, according to the attorney for the family of the deceased man in the video, clearly shows 38 year old Edward Bronstein being taken into custody by CHP on suspicion of driving under the influence.

When he arrived at the Altadena station, officers asked him to take a blood test to determine his blood alcohol level, and Bronstein refused.

After repeatedly refusing the test, an officer informed Bronstein he would be “going face-down on the mat — and we going to keep on going.” When officers held him to the ground, Bronstein yelled that he would do the test willingly, but several officers pinned him down with their bodies until Bronstein yelled “I can’t breathe!” 

More than eleven minutes passed between Bronstein’s last scream and the time officers began administering CPR. Bronstein died on scene.

Bronstein’s family has filed an excessive force lawsuit in federal court against nine CHP officers and a sergeant. The family claims Bronstein was terrified of needles, which is why he did not want to take the blood test.