Arrestee Briefly Dies From Overdose, CHP Officers Save Him

SAN GORGONIO PASS AREA, CA — A man who was arrested early Sunday morning by the California Highway Patrol on suspicion of driving under the influence stopped breathing in a patrol car and had to be revived by first responders, authorities reported Tuesday.

The man, whose identity was not disclosed, was arrested at 4:07 a.m. by two San Gorgonio Pass Area CHP officers. While he was being taken to jail, he complained that he couldn't breathe and "soon became unresponsive," according to CHP Officer Matt Napier.

The arresting officers checked the man’s vital signs and found he had no pulse and was not breathing.

The officers administered CPR and requested fire and ambulance crews, Napier said.

The arrestee was taken to San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital, where he was given Narcan, which is used to reverse opioid overdoses.

The treatment was successful, and the man "became alert and oriented," police said. He then was taken to Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, where he was booked on suspicion of DUI and drug charges.

According to Napier, a bottle containing a controlled substance, possibly fentanyl, was found in the man's vehicle.

"Thanks to the quick actions of our officers, this man’s life was saved," a statement from Napier said. "Our officers’ roles changed from enforcement to guardians in the blink of an eye.

"Even when faced with an atypical scenario, their life-saving CPR training quickly kicked in and prevented this man from dying on the side of the road," the statement from Napier continued. "Just another example of how unpredictable an officer’s job can be and how we must be prepared for anything."