FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — A Flagler County deputy’s body camera video shows the moment he rescued another deputy from fentanyl exposure during a traffic stop Friday.
Sheriff Rick Staly told First Coast News that the deputy is expected to make a full recovery and applauds the deputy for administering NARCAN quickly. NARCAN is an opioid reversal nasal spray that is used to help people struggling with an overdose.
Experts with Project Opioid say the dangers of fentanyl are increasing.
T.J. Ward with Project Opioid says fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine and if the deputy had not administered NARCAN, Deputy Nick Huzior could have died.
In the body worn camera video shared by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, you see Deputy Nick Huzior describing that he feels lightheaded after field testing drugs during a traffic stop.
Staly says those drugs were positive for fentanyl.
Deputy First Class Kyle Gaddie, who was also on the traffic stop, is seen in the video administering NARCAN to Huzior.
Minutes later, a neighbor comes up to assist with water until the deputy is taken to a local hospital by an ambulance.
“It’s extremely crucial that people have that [NARCAN] on them at all times in case they come across an overdose, especially when you’re talking about law enforcement personnel working to get this drug off of the streets,” said Ward.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says over 150 people die daily from overdoses related to opioids like fentanyl.
“Yeah, I think it’s important for people to be aware of what’s happening in their community as far as these drugs are concerned," Ward said. "One way they can do that is [by] tuning in to media partners like yourself who are talking about it."
The driver in the traffic stop has been identified as 61-year-old George Clemons of Crescent City.
Clemons was arrested on DUI charges, as well as possession of marijuana, fentanyl, cocaine and prescription drugs without a prescription.
FCSO says Huzior will be back to work on Monday.