Accidental deaths, including motor vehicle deaths, declined in El Paso County last year while trends in drug use are changing, according to the annual report from the Office of the Medical Examiner.
The office investigates cases that are homicides, suicides and accidents, as well as sudden or unexpected natural deaths. Last year, El Paso County recorded 7,200 deaths. Of those, 1,145 were accepted by the medical examiner for exam or inquest – a review of medical records to determine cause of death without examining the body.
The annual report is intended to help guide public health decisions and bring awareness to trends. The El Paso County Commissioners Court appointed forensic pathologist Dr. Mario Rascon as chief medical examiner in 2014. Irene Santiago, chief of operations for the medical examiner, declined El Paso Matters’ request for comment from the office…