CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office says they conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle exiting the Wawa parking in Port Charlotte.
The driver, identified as Brandon H. Ballinger, 33, was unable to produce a valid driver’s license or vehicle registration. Ballinger was with a passenger identified as Krystle N. Sunbury Crammer, 30.
Both Crammer and Ballinger had warrants out of Georgia for Possession of Controlled Substance.
Deputies located a torn baggie with suspected methamphetamine scattered along with the seat, Marijuana, two syringes, various drug paraphernalia, 16 pills identified as Quetiapine Fumarate, and two rabbits.
Animal Control took custody of the animals and both suspects were arrested and transported to the Charlotte County Jail.
Shortly after entering the jail facility, Ballinger was observed in his cell actively seizing.
Jail staff immediately rendered aid while simultaneously alerting medical staff to respond.
CCSO says medical professionals believed that Ballinger had reacted to something ingested before arrest leading them to administer Narcan.
Narcan was ineffective and Ballinger was transported to Punta Gorda Bayfront Hospital. Upon admittance into Punta Gorda Bayfront lab results confirmed the presence of narcotics in his system.
It was determined that Ballinger was in critical condition and on March 25, 2021, was transferred to Bayfront Health Port Charlotte due to limitations at Punta Gorda Bayfront.
After several days of medical interventions, Ballinger succumbed to his injuries. Next of kin was notified and the official cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner.
Major Crimes detectives are investigating the case further.
