By the Lehigh Acres Gazette Staff
The autopsy report from the Lee County medical examiner points to a deadly combination of alcohol and the medically-administered Ketamine as one of the causes of death of Willard Truckenmiller a Lee County deputy in May.
The 32-year-old, Truckenmiller was celebrating his birthday when he became irritated and unstable, according to witnesses’ reports.
In the LCSO report reveals that Truckenmiller consumed at least 12 alcoholic shots and more than four beers during his four hours he was it the Shores Bar & Grill in Fort Myers Shores.
The bar owners called the LCSO to check on this off-duty deputy.
According to the report six law enforcement officers from LCSO responded to the concern, noting their fellow deputy was heavily intoxicated, adding he didn’t recognize his co-workers, made random statements, and seemed to be having possible PTSD-induced hallucinations.
According to the report, a LCSO supervisor made the call to Baker Act Truckenmiller, and an ambulance arrived on scene. Law enforcement all agree, and the medical examiner’s report confirmed, that Truckenmiller was given an intramuscular shot of Ketamine, a sedative drug to calm him down.
While to the hospital in the Lee County ambulance, Truckenmiller went into cardiac arrest. At the hospital, he went into a coma, and days later he was declared brain dead.
As part of the autopsy, information was sent to the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine for review. It was being investigated to determine if Truckenmiller suffered from Excited Delirium Syndrome that would have led to his actions that night.
Excited delirium is a controversial proposed condition that manifests as a combination of delirium, psychomotor agitation, anxiety, hallucinations, speech disturbances, disorientation, violent and bizarre behavior, insensitivity to pain, elevated body temperature, and superhuman strength. Excited Delirium Syndrome
The Medical Examiner who reviewed it was unable to determine if he was suffering from Excited Delirium but does say that the interaction of Ketamine with ethanol can pose a risk for respiratory toxicity, suggesting the drug mixed with alcohol (a depressant) can impose a risk of coma or death.
The Lee County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a tragic accident. The State Attorney’s Office determined no charges are warranted in the case.