For Immediate Release

Friday, Oct. 27, 2017

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Arlington Police and Fire Respond after Suspected Overdose-Related Crash

Driver Believed to Have Overdosed on Opioids While Behind the Wheel

ARLINGTON — Police Chief Frederick Ryan reports that the Arlington Police and Fire Departments responded and resuscitated a man after he apparently overdosed on opioids and crashed his vehicle.

At 1:03 p.m., police and fire units were dispatched to the intersection of Mystic Valley Parkway and River Street for a reported motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival, an Arlington police officer came upon the driver, who appeared to be suffering from an overdose and was not breathing.

Officer Michael Foley administered nasal Narcan to the driver, a 32-year-old Arlington man. Officer Foley and Arlington firefighters then deployed an automated external defibrillator and started to perform CPR on the driver. After administering a second dose of Narcan, the driver regained consciousness and started breathing on his own.

The driver was transported to a Boston area hospital by the Arlington Fire Department.

An investigation indicates that the driver came over the Harvard Avenue bridge while driving into Arlington from West Medford when he lost consciousness, put his car into reverse, and crashed into a vehicle that was driving behind him. The driver of the other vehicle was not damaged.

“This crash nearly ended in tragedy, and it once again highlights the sense of urgency with which our country must approach the opioid epidemic. In this instance, a driver overdosed, lost consciousness, and crashed. The results of this incident could have been far worse if the driver did not slip the vehicle into reverse or if someone was crossing the road at the time,” Chief Ryan said. “This is a very serious situation, and I applaud our officers and the Arlington Fire Department for their actions today.”

The crash remains under investigation.

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