An Angelina County inmate died after leaving the hospital against medical advice, prompting a Texas Rangers investigation.

ANGELINA COUNTY, Texas — An Angelina County Jail inmate died Thursday after officials say he spent multiple days in the hospital and ultimately refused treatment, insisting to leave. 

Tony Jerome Irvine, 54, of Jasper, passed away Thursday night, the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office reported. 

Initially, Irvine submitted a medical request while in the jail on Nov. 3. After being evaluated by jail staff, he was taken to a hospital for further treatment. He stayed there for several days under sedation. But on Nov. 6, after regaining consciousness, the breathing tube he had was removed and he became alert and expressed dissatisfaction with his treatment, the sheriff’s office said. 

He insisted on getting discharged and being returned to the jail. Hospital staff said Irvine became agitated and showed aggressive behavior. They say he removed the medical equipment like a PICC line for medication infusion that was inserted while under sedation, the ACSO said.

Despite efforts to get him to stay, Irvine still wanted to leave against medical advice. Hospital workers contacted the sheriff’s office and  arrangements were made for him to go back to the jail, according to the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office. 

Then around 8:40 a.m., he arrived at the jail and within minutes, Irvine declined in his condition. Jail staff immediately began life-saving measures, and he was taken to the hospital via ambulance. He passed away at the hospital, the ACSO said.

The Texas Rangers are investigating Irvine’s death and the sheriff’s office is fully cooperating.

Irvine was waiting to be transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to serve a 12-month sentence for felony theft. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Irvine’s family during this time,” the ACSO said.