EspañolDiego Rios (Full Name: Diego Alfonso Rios), of Rancho Cucamonga, Died After Being Stopped by Police In Claremont Near Claremont Boulevard and Andrew Drive
CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA (November 30, 2025) – A man identified as Diego Rios has tragically died after being stopped by police in Claremont near Claremont Boulevard and Andrew Drive.
Los Angeles County officials are saying the incident took place around 3:18 AM on November 28. Police officers received reports of a man acting erratically and may be under the influence of narcotics.
Officers arrived at the scene and realized that the subject drove away. They were later able to locate Diego Rios.
They asked him to exit his vehicle when some type of use-of-force incident took place. At some point during the incident, the man became unresponsive.
Paramedics were called to the scene to help him. Diego Rios was transported to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.
A full investigation into the incident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Los Angeles County In-Custody Deaths
Police officers must use the least amount of force necessary for any given encounter. According to California Penal Code § 835a, “the authority to use physical force, conferred on peace officers by this section, is a serious responsibility that shall be exercised judiciously and with respect for human rights and dignity and for the sanctity of every human life. The Legislature further finds and declares that every person has a right to be free from excessive use of force by officers acting under color of law.” In particular, police officers must take several types of measures to avoid needlessly harming subjects.
- Minimum Force: Police officers must tailor their use of force to the threat level that they encounter. Factors that will determine the level of force that is reasonable will include the severity of the alleged crime.
- Dangerous Tactics: Police officers should abstain from using dangerous tactics that are known to pose a serious risk of injury or death when it is not justified. This includes placing suspects in prone restraints.
- Medical Aid: Police officers must recognize the signs that a suspect is in any type of medical distress and call EMS as soon as possible.
Police officers have a great deal of leeway in terms of how they carry out their job duties. But at no point are officers allowed to use excessive force. Pursuant to 42 U.S. Code § 1983, every person who, under the color of any statute, law or ordinance, causes a citizen of the United States to be deprived of their rights secured by the constitution, shall be liable to the injured party in an action at law. If police officers use excessive force and causes the death of a suspect, surviving family members may be able to pursue damages through a constitutional claim.
Steps to Take After Excessive Force Involving Los Angeles County Police Officials
A large portion of fatal traffic encounters involve people who are under the influence of drugs or in the midst of a mental health crisis. According to the Public Police Institute of California, “More than four in ten people treated for non-fatal gunshot wounds from a police encounter were diagnosed with a mental health condition, an alcohol- or substance-related disorder, or both.” These encounters are routinely mismanaged by responding officers. It is important that certain actions are taken after any fatal police encounter.
- Eyewitness Testimony: All of the testimony from eyewitnesses should be carefully collected and reviewed.
- Body Cameras: The body camera footage of responding officers should also be gathered. They can shed a great deal of light onto whether or not officers acted reasonably.
- Medical Records: Medical records and autopsy reports related to the death should be examined.
Deaths during police encounters are often highly preventable. They tend to involve situations where officers are either unwilling or unable to de-escalate encounters. Unfortunately, police departments will virtually never accept responsibility when someone dies in their custody. It is more likely that they will blame the decedent or outside forces. The family of any person who died due to the excessive force of police officers may be able to seek some measure of justice and accountability through a civil action.
Investigating Los Angeles County Police Deaths
We at the Carrillo Law Firm extend our best wishes to the family of Diego Rios. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. The sheer number of in-custody deaths across Los Angeles County in recent years remains deeply concerning.
Do you need more information about a Los Angeles County in-custody death? Our team of experienced civil rights advocates is here to support you in any way that we can. We care deeply that victims of police misconduct are aware of their rights and that police departments are held accountable for their illegal actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
