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On Thursday, January 15, at approximately 4:49 p.m., I was dispatched by Arkansas State Police Troop F to stop a vehicle driving recklessly on U.S. Highway 79, traveling southbound into Fordyce. I observed a gray Chevrolet pickup truck traveling 66 miles per hour in a posted 55-mile-per-hour zone. Neither the driver nor the passenger was wearing a seat belt.
I initiated a traffic stop. Due to the passenger-side window being inoperable, I opened the passenger-side door to make contact. I identified myself to the driver and advised him of the reason for the stop. During the stop, I observed drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle, including a used methamphetamine pipe, which indicated potential drug activity and justified further investigation.
I instructed the driver to exit the vehicle. For officer safety, I conducted a pat-down search and placed the driver in my patrol unit. I then made contact with the passenger and requested his driver’s license. The passenger was unconscious and unresponsive. I attempted to wake him by shaking him; however, his body was rigid, and he did not respond. His breathing was shallow.
I returned to my patrol unit and retrieved Narcan. After administering one dose, the passenger opened his eyes approximately 20 seconds later. Initially, he was unable to speak but gradually regained and maintained consciousness and was able to move his hands as the Narcan took effect. He identified himself as John Phillips. After a brief field interview, the passenger lost consciousness again.
I administered a second dose of Narcan. Following the second dose, the passenger remained conscious until just prior to the arrival of EMS. When EMS approached the vehicle, the passenger lost consciousness for a third time. Due to the passenger’s life-threatening medical condition, I did not attempt to search him for drugs and prioritized his medical care over evidence collection.
EMS personnel arrived on scene and assumed care of the passenger. EMS staff removed an unlabeled pill bottle from the passenger that contained a white powdery substance believed to be methamphetamine. The passenger was transported by EMS to Dallas County Medical Center for treatment.
The passenger was charged with:
Possession of methamphetamine
Possession of drug paraphernalia (methamphetamine pipe)
