The Gates Police Chief took a direct hand in dealing with the opioid drug epidemic yesterday when he helped perform first aid on a man who overdosed while driving on Lyell Avenue.
Chief James VanBrederode was on his way to a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Catholic Family Center’s new drug treatment facility when he heard a call for an unresponsive motorist at Lyell Avenue and Howard Road.
Christopher Erbe of Hamlin had passed out while waiting at a red light. The chief was a short distance away, so he responded as did officer Jennifer Skidmore. They pulled the 32-year-old man out of his car and administered CPR to the apparently lifeless man until Gates Ambulance arrived and EMT’s administered Narcan. That brought the victim back to consciousness, and he was taken to Unity Hospital.
Erbe was charged with driving while intoxicated and driving while impaired by drugs. He’ll appear in court on September 17th.