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A Birmingham man used a phone cord to hang himself in the Homewood Jail early Friday after being arrested on a drunken-driving charge, authorities said.

Jefferson County Chief Deputy Coroner Jay Glass said the 26-year-old man was pronounced dead at Brookwood Medical Center at 5:13 a.m. Friday.

Homewood Police Chief Charles Trucks said Joseph Edward Tant, Jr. of Colonial Woods Drive was arrested on 18th Street South near the Rosedale neighborhood at 12:10 a.m. Friday on a charge of driving under the influence.

He said a blood alcohol content reading on Tant was not available.

Trucks said Tant was found beside a telephone in a day room/holding area of the jail at 4:29 a.m.

He said Tant appeared to have wrapped the phone cord around his neck and then slumped down to take his life. Paramedics were called, and Tant was transported to Brookwood, where he was dead on arrival at 5:13 a.m., Trucks said.

He said investigators spent Friday morning interviewing inmates and jail personnel.