Emergency treatment for Fentanyl exposure after Fresno officers respond to collision

A Fresno police officer was given an emergency antidote after he was possibly exposed to the opioid Fentanyl as he and a second officer responded to a traffic collision Thursday morning.

The incident occurred shortly after 10 a.m. as the traffic officers went to a collision at West Shaw Avenue and Highway 99.

Police spokesman Jeff La Blue said when the officers left the scene and were near West San Jose and North Marty avenues, one began began feeling ill. According to Fresno County Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti, an-off duty deputy stopped to render aid when he saw that the officers needed help. He was carrying Narcan, an antidote to Fentanyl, and administered it to the officer. The deputy was identified as Depulty Wilkinson by Botti.

Fresno police and sheriff’s deputies carry Narcan because it can stop a fatal overdose from Fentanyl and other opiods. The second police officer was reportedly affected less seriously by the drug.

This story was originally published January 21, 2021 at 10:55 AM.