Ex-NFL player Doug Martin's family sue Oakland police, allege restraint asphyxia in fatal mental health crisis

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The family of former NFL running back Doug Martin has sued the city of Oakland, its police department and an ambulance company, alleging their actions contributed to the circumstances surrounding his death.

In the suit, the late NFL star’s parents claim police played a role in the 36-year-old’s death and allege paramedics failed to respond quickly enough to calls for medical care. Martin’s parents, Leslie and Douglas, filed the lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

The suit states the plaintiffs believe Martin died from restraint asphyxia, which they allege was "caused by Oakland police officers and the FALCK NORCAL paramedics’ failure to provide timely medical care." He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

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Doug Martin of the Oakland Raiders carries the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California, on Nov. 11, 2018. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Leslie called paramedics in response to her son having a mental-health crisis on Oct. 18. Martin then fled and hid in a neighbor’s house two doors away, where the Oakland Police Department found him in the basement, according to the suit.

According to the suit, Leslie called paramedics Oct. 18 after her son began experiencing a mental-health crisis. Martin then left the home and hid in a neighbor’s house. Oakland police later located him in the basement. Furthermore, the lawsuit says law enforcement officers physically restrained Martin and placed him "face down while one or more officers pressed on