An Ohio police officer is recovering from an overdose after fentanyl that landed on his clothing during a routine drug stop absorbed into his skin.
According to police reports obtained by WKBN in Ohio, Officer Chris Green responded to a traffic stop where fellow officers were blocking in a blue Monte Carlo driven by Justin Buckle. Officers believed Buckle was engaged in a drug transaction.
“We think they were trying to flee, but they were blocked in,” said East Liverpool Captain Patrick Wright. “Once they got blocked in, they tried to dispose of the evidence in the vehicle…There was white powder on the seat, on the floor, on the guys’ shoes, and on his clothing.”
Green reportedly followed police protocol when arresting the suspects and during the car search by wearing gloves and a mask. Upon returning to the station someone passing Green told him there was powder on shirt to which he brushed off. An hour later, he passed out at the station after what is believed to fentanyl was absorbed into his skin.
Green was treated at a local hospital and is expected to survive.