Seven people have been hospitalized, including five law enforcement officers and a tow truck driver, after coming into contact with a drug or chemical at the scene of a collision on the Golden Gate Bridge Sunday afternoon, officials said.
The hazmat incident began after 32-year-old John Parkinson Shaw, Jr. of Greenbrae was spotted driving erratically on the Golden Gate Bridge, said a California Highway Patrol spokesperson. His Lexus was seen scraping the center barrier before coming to a stop just before noon.
Officers responded to the scene where one of them entered the vehicle in an attempt to turn the ignition off and treat the driver, who was unconscious.
Officers found what appeared to be cocaine with Fentanyl in it.
Moments later, the officer became violently ill and unresponsive, authorities confirmed. Other officers on the scene also began to experience symptoms.
Fire officials arrived on the scene and administered Narcan to shaw and to the officers. The unconscious driver and officer were both revived by the treatment.
The Southern Marin Fire Department’s Hazmat team arrived and ran a test on white powdery substance found in the vehicle.
It has not yet been determined what the chemical or drug was, although authorities did confirm that the substance found in the vehicle tested negative for Fentanyl. However, CHP officials said they suspect Fentanyl was involved as the symptoms and reaction to treatment were consistent with exposure to the drug.
The seven people brought to the hospital following contact with the substance were four CHP officers, one Golden Gate Bridge patrol officer, one Golden Gate Bridge tow truck driver and Shaw.
Shaw was booked on suspicion of DUI and possession of a controlled substance.
Source: NBC Bay Area
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