The family of a man who died in the El Paso County jail on July 4, 2022 will be receiving a $1,875,000 settlement, according to a news release Tuesday.

Daniel Murray was found unresponsive in his cell that Fourth of July. Deputies, jail medical staff, medical responders and the Colorado Springs Fire Department attempted lifesaving efforts. These efforts were unsuccessful.

The El Paso County Coroner ruled Murray died as a result of chronic alcohol abuse, according to the news release from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

On July 20, 2023, a lawsuit was filed against the county, alleging Murray’s death was preventable as he was suffering from untreated acute alcohol withdrawal, which medical staff at the jail ignored.

In his incident report for Murray’s death, deputy Cody McCormick wrote that he appeared to have hallucinations in the days leading up to his death, a symptom of alcohol withdrawal, the family stated in the lawsuit.

Other symptoms include tremors, sweating, excitability and hyperactivity, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure and death. The family alleged McCormick’s statement and Murray’s jail medical record show that he had all those symptoms.

The nearly $2 million settlement was reached between El Paso County, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, and the family of Murray.

The Berkley Public Entity/Gemini Insurance Company, El Paso County’s excess insurance carrier, will pay $1,375,000, and El Paso County will pay $500,000.

This settlement has been approved by the Board of County Commissioners but will not become final until probate court approval.

“The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office extends our condolences to Mr. Murray’s family and friends,” department spokeswoman Cassandra Sebastian stated in the news release. “We hope this settlement provides the family an opportunity to continue their healing journey.”