Published in the August 17, 2015 edition

WAKEFIELD — The same week Wakefield cruisers were equipped with the opioid overdose-reversing substance known as Narcan, it was used to save a Hanson Street man’s life Friday night.

Around 9:25 p.m. Wakefield Patrol Officer Kyle Meehan was alerted by an ER nurse walking her dog around the Lake to the operator of a pick-up truck who had crossed over the center line and then stopped in the middle of the opposite travel lane on Church Street. Meehan, according to police, approached the vehicle and observed a male operator slumped over the steering wheel.

He noticed that the vehicle was running and he was unable to raise his attention.

Meehan quickly broke the driver’s side window as Officers Matt Chambers and Ryan Doran arrived on scene. The officers were still unable to gain alertness from the operator and based on their observations — including the fact that the driver’s face was blue — believed that he may have overdosed on drugs.

The operator had his foot on the gas pedal as officers gained entry and turned off the vehicle, removed the keys and quickly deployed nasal Narcan. This is a high traffic area along Lake Quannapowitt with many walkers, joggers, bicyclists and motorists. The operator regained consciousness and was transported to the hospital for evaluation. The 47-year-old male from Wakefield is facing multiple charges including Operating Under the Influence of Drugs and Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle.

According to police, the Wakefield man also became combative and uncooperative when he came to as officers were trying to help him.

Some amount of heroin was found in the man’s vehicle, police explained.

Meehan was treated for severe lacerations to his arm while attempting to extricate the operator from the vehicle.

Police Chief Richard Smith noted, “These three officers performed exemplary in a very difficult and high risk situation. The results could have been tragic had they not acted quickly and decisively.”

The Hanson Street man will be summonsed to court on the charges he faces. The Wakefield Daily Item does not publish the names of people police say they plan to summons to court.