A man died at a Birmingham hospital Tuesday shortly after he was taken there by police who found him running in and out of early morning traffic in Irondale.

Irondale police officers were dispatched at 5:10 a.m. on several 911 calls reporting the man’s behavior on Highway 78 near Old Leeds Road.

Lt. Jason Hill said the officers found the man who appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance and/or behaving erratically.

Police believed medical assistance was needed and called for assistance from the Irondale Fire Department.

Officers rendered first aid on the scene until paramedics arrived. The man was then taken to St. Vincent’s East where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

The man’s identity has not yet been released.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is leading the investigation, which is standard policy for in-custody deaths.