Overdose While Driving: Arlington Police, Fire Rescue Man

ARLINGTON, MA — Arlington Police and Fire Departments resuscitated a man after he apparently overdosed on opioids and crashed his car in Arlington just a day after Police Chief Frederick Ryan traveled to Washington to help advise the president on solutions to the opioid crisis.

"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 and if someone was crossing the road at the time," Ryan said in a statement. "This is a very serious situation, and I applaud our officers and the Arlington Fire Department for their actions today."

Just around 1 p.m. someone reported 1:03 p.m., a crash near the intersection of Mystic Valley Parkway and River Street. When he got there, an Arlington police officer found the driver to be in bad shape. The 32-year-old Arlington man appeared to be suffering from an overdose and was not breathing.

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

The fire department then transported the driver to a Boston area hospital.

Police said their 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 car was not injured.

The crash remains under investigation, according to police.

Previously on Patch:

Opioid Crisis: Arlington Police Chief Travels To Washington To Advise White House

Photos by Jenna Fisher/ Patch