Officials: Ariz. inmate hospitalized after gouging eye out

FLORENCE, Ariz. - An Arizona inmate has been hospitalized after gouging out his eyeball while left alone in a jail cell, reported CBS affiliate KPHO.

Pinal County jail officials say that Colin Corkhill, 26, of Scottsdale, was rushed to the hospital after detention officers saw blood on the window of Corkhill's cell on Thursday night during a routine cell check. The doctors were unable to save Corkhill's eye, the station reported.

Corkhill was originally housed with other inmates, but detention officers saw him punch himself in the face while standing in the shower. Officers then placed him under a mental health watch in a singular cell.

According to the station, Corkhill had been booked on Wednesday on suspicion of attempted murder, theft of means of transportation, aggravated assault and resisting arrest.

Corkhill was arrested after an altercation with an Arizona state trooper that ended in gunfire. He had allegedly been driving a stolen car when it got stuck in a median. When the trooper tried to help, Corkhill reportedly attacked the trooper. A scuffle ensued and authorities say the trooper's weapon discharged.

According to KPHO, the trooper sustained an injury to his hand and was taken to Banner Casa Grande Medical Center. He was released a short time later.

Corkhill sustained injuries to his face, and was also transported to Banner Casa Grande Medical Center before being booked at the Pinal County jail, ahead of the reported eye-gouging incident.