Hector Ventura Jr., a former jockey at Emerald Downs, has died of an apparent drug overdose, a spokesman for the Auburn, Washington, police department said.

Ventura, 31, was found slumped over the steering wheel of his vehicle in the parking lot of an Auburn restaurant on December 5. According to paramedics summoned to the scene, Ventura was dead at least 48 hours before being discovered.

Auburn Police sergeant Scott Near said foul play is not suspected, though an autopsy will be performed. He said there is evidence that narcotics were ingested.

A native of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, Ventura earned 365 wins in 2,900 starts and compiled purse earnings of $3,126,017 since making his North American riding debut in 1995. Ventura did not ride at the 2007 Emerald meeting because of weight and health issues, but continued to exercise horses in the morning.

Ventura earned 12 of his wins in stakes races, and won consecutive editions of the Seattle Handicap at Emerald in 2000 and ’01 aboard Handy N Bold. His best season at Emerald occurred in 2006, when he tied for eighth in the jockey standings in terms of wins with 37 victories.

Ventura rode his last winner in January 2006 at Turf Paradise.