JANESVILLE — Rock County authorities continue to investigate following the apparent suicide death of an inmate in the jail last week.

The incident began just before 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 30, when police say an inmate in Section C-3 of the facility notified them that another inmate needed medical attention

“The inmate was housed in a cell by himself,” the Rock Co. Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “Jail staff and jail medical staff immediately initiated basic life support measures.”

The statement does not detail the nature of the injuries to the inmate, nor did police release his name to the public. He had not made an initial court appearance.

“Medical personnel were able to regain a pulse and the inmate was transported to Mercy Hospital in critical condition,” police said. 

But subsequently, on Wednesday, Feb. 2, the Sheriff’s Office was notified that the inmate had died at the hospital.

Rock County authorities had earlier reported that they arrested an area man for his seventh driving under the influence charge following a hit and run crash outside a Union Township bar. It could not be confirmed at press time whether it was the same person.

According to reports, the crash happened at about 10:45 p.m. Jan. 28 outside the Union Tavern Bar at 1030 N Hwy. 14. A bar patron reported his car was struck in the parking lot outside the bar. But “while deputies were enroute to the scene, the suspect fled,” police said in a statement.

The man, Kendell R. Copus, 37, of Evansville was later located walking along Hwy 14 and took him into custody. The charge is a felony, since it is Corpus’ seventh driving under the influence charge, police said. Online court records however do not list a charge or court date for him.