Man collapses, dies during traffic stop

A 37-year-old man collapsed and died in his car Wednesday night in Mesa during a traffic stop.

Police haven't released the man's name pending notification of his family.

Mesa police spokesman detective Steve Berry said a motorcycle officer stopped the man's car about 9:50 p.m. in the 5400 block of East Main Street.

The officer talked with the man and collected his license and registration, then discovered the car was reported stolen and the driver had a warrant. Based on that information, the police officer called for another officer to back him up and waited with the driver.

"The officer reported that the suspect, who was still seated in his car, seemed very nervous," Berry said. "As they were talking, the driver collapsed and went unconscious."

The police officer called paramedics and began CPR on the man. The man was taken by ambulance to Banner Baywood Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead a short time later, Berry said.

The cause of death is unknown and an autopsy will be conducted at the Maricopa County Forensic Science Center