Cecil Heroin User Overdoses At Wheel, Hits Police Car: Officials

NORTH EAST, MD — State troopers broke into a man's vehicle after he overdosed on heroin Friday morning and crashed into an unmarked police car, police said. Authorities reported that one officer and the overdose victim were treated at the hospital.

After 7 a.m. on Friday, police said that a trooper from the North East barrack was on routine patrol when he saw a Chevy Tahoe stopped in the travel portion of the road.

The trooper pulled his unmarked car ahead of the Tahoe on southbound North East Road at Lums Road and turned on his emergency equipment, according to police.

As he went to the driver's door to check on him, officials said the trooper found the man slumped over the wheel, with the vehicle still in drive and the doors locked. Then the Tahoe drifted forward and hit the unmarked police car, authorities reported.

Three additional troopers responded to the scene, where officials said one broke the window of the Tahoe with his police baton to provide aid to the driver, who had not stirred despite repeated knocks on the glass.

Upon seeing heroin and paraphernalia in the area of the driver, police reported the officers administered the antidote narcan and provided CPR until he was conscious.

One lane was closed temporarily as first responders were in the area.

Charges are pending against the driver, who was taken by ambulance to Union Hospital in Elkton. Police said one trooper was treated at the scene and at the hospital for cuts to his hand.

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