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Harrowing bodycam footage of Florida deputy hospitalized after fentanyl exposure: ‘I can’t feel my legs’

August 12, 2023 | | Print Article

A Florida deputy is lucky to be alive after fentanyl exposure knocked him for a loop, causing him to no longer have feeling in his legs while he was administered Narcan to counter its effects.

(Video Credit: Fox News)

Deputy Nick Huzior is suspected of having been exposed to fentanyl despite wearing gloves while handling the lethal drug. His reported brush with death occurred during a traffic stop and was caught on body camera footage that was released Friday by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.

Huzior told another officer that he suddenly felt dizzy, his heart was beating crazily, and later he could no longer feel his legs.

The substance that nailed the deputy was a white powder that later tested presumptive positive for fentanyl. It was found in a suspect’s vehicle that Huzior pulled over in Bunnell on Thursday afternoon, according to Fox News.

The suspect was identified as George Clemons, 61, of Crescent City. He was pulled over for reckless driving and refused to conduct field sobriety exercises. Clemons was arrested for DUI, possession of fentanyl, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana under 20 grams, possession of a legend drug without a prescription, possession of suboxone, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also charged with leaving the scene of a crash and is facing other charges as well.

Currently, he is being held on a $25,500 bond.

“Flagler County deputies said the incident began when a reckless driver reportedly fled a hit-and-run and then continued to drive recklessly on SR-11,” WFLA reported.

“Sometime later, deputies found the driver with narcotics, an empty Bud Light can, and a mini ‘shooter’ of alcohol inside the vehicle,” the media outlet continued.

The deputy was purportedly hit with the effects of the drug hard. If his fellow deputy had not acted fast, the incident allegedly could have cost him his life.

“I feel really dizzy. My heart is like beating really fast,” Huizor told Deputy First Class Kyle Gaddie who administered treatment to him after the exposure before emergency responders arrived on the scene.

“I can’t feel my legs and my hands are shaky,” the deputy said later as EMT personnel treated him.

To counter the opioid’s effects, Huzior was given two doses of Narcan. He was taken to the hospital and was later released. The deputy is said to be recovering, according to the sheriff’s office.

“What happened [Thursday] is a perfect example of the dangers law enforcement face each and every day from poison on the streets,” Sheriff Rick Staly said via a statement.

“Thankfully, our deputies are well-trained and equipped with Narcan which allowed DFC Gaddie to potentially save the life of a fellow deputy. I would also like to thank the good Samaritans who stopped to check on Deputy Huzior and DFC Gaddie, while they were waiting for EMS as well as Flagler County Fire Rescue and AdventHealth Palm Coast for taking care of him,” Staly added.

The effects of fentanyl can be seen in large cities across the nation. Users appear zombie-like and there is no doubt the drug is not only highly addictive but deadly.

A debate is still raging among experts and medical professionals about whether these incidents are true fentanyl overdoses or can be attributed to a panic attack over the possibility of fentanyl exposure.

“There’s just no practical way in an outdoor environment that could happen,” Dr. Lewis Nelson, a medical toxicologist in addiction medicine and department chair of Emergency Medicine at Rutgers Medical School, told FOX 35 in December 2022.

“Dr. Nelson of Rutgers Medical School co-published a prominent study saying passive fentanyl exposure is nearly impossible. This means simply coming in contact with the drug is not enough to overdose. He says a small dose wiped from a sleeve or inhaled wouldn’t be enough to cause one either,” Fox 35 reported.

“You see on TV when they put out a line. You have to have a good amount to get in your body,” Nelson claimed. “You’re not going to get a little powder on your hand and put it in your nose. You’re not going to get sick from that.”

Countering that argument, there have been many instances where police officers have apparently reacted to the opioid.

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