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A suspected overdose death a week ago today has left local law enforcement officials with unanswered questions and a warning about how to properly handle suspected overdose cases.
Thomas Cotterman, 42, of Russells Point, was pronounced dead in the emergency room of Lima Memorial Hospital on Feb. 16 after being transported there by at least one other Russells Point resident, Russells Point Police Chief Joe Freyhof reports.
The driver told authorities and hospital staff Mr. Cotterman was found in a vehicle at Russells Point and that he “did not look well and had serious difficulty breathing,” Chief Freyhof reports.
“The initial investigation strongly points to a drug overdose being the approximate cause of death accompanied by a lengthy and unnecessary delay in proper emergency care. There are many unanswered questions, including why the resident(s) failed to call 911 or transport to a local hospital.
“Our department has continued to seek answers and investigate this unfortunate death.”
It is the second overdose death in Russells Point this year.
The chief noted that recent changes to Ohio’s “Good Samaritan Law” shields people who call for medical assistance for overdose victims from criminal prosecution.
“A person who calls 911 to save a friend who is overdosing won’t be arrested or punished for minor drug offenses under the new law,” the chief wrote in a statement. “Local Representative Robert Sprague co-sponsored the legislation with the hope the changes would help save lives as part of many other efforts to address the state’s worsening opioid and heroin overdose.”