Man found hanging identified

Authorities have identified the man found hanging in his cell at Costa Mesa Jail as James Wade Coscia, Costa Mesa police Lt. Greg Woods said Monday.

Coscia, a 47-year-old Costa Mesa resident, was found hanging in his cell alone at about 5:30 p.m. Friday. He had been booked earlier that day on suspicion of driving under the influence and causing bodily harm after allegedly rear-ending a motorcycle on West 18th Street near Placentia Avenue, police said.

Costa Mesa Fire Department paramedics treated Coscia at the jail, and he was taken to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, where he was pronounced dead at about 6:30 p.m., police said Saturday.

Costa Mesa jailers check jail cells once an hour, officials said Saturday.

Police will not release more information until the Orange County District Attorney’s Office investigates the death.

Investigators from the office handle all in-custody deaths, Costa Mesa police Lt. Dale Birney said Saturday.

The office has been closed for Presidents Day weekend and reopens today.