On July 10, 2015, Sandra Bland died by suicide in a Waller County, Texas, jail cell three days after a daytime traffic stop escalated into a high-profile arrest. A verified summary of the case shows a routine stop for a broken tail light, a contentious interaction recorded by a bystander, and subsequent legal outcomes including a guilty plea on a marijuana charge and a settlement with the state of Texas. The case catalyzed national discussions on policing, race, and jail safety. This evergreen explainer presents verified details, timelines, and outcomes to support long-term clarity.
