Two Michigan State Police troopers helped save a woman’s life Tuesday afternoon in Ypsilanti Township after finding her in the midst of a heroin overdose.
Troopers David Bluhm and Nolan Przybolo
Courtesy of MSP
Troopers Nolan Przybylo and David Bluhm were on a traffic stop at 5:10 p.m. Tuesday in the 800 block of Dorset Avenue in Ypsilanti Township’s West Willow neighborhood. Michigan State Police Sgt. Mark Thompson said a person interrupted the traffic stop and directed them to a woman who needed help in a nearby home.
When they arrived at the home, Przybolo and Bluhm discovered a woman lying on the floor, not breathing. The resident told the troopers she overdosed on heroin and Przybolo and Bluhm sprang into action.
Thompson said the troopers cleared the woman’s airway and began rescue breathing and contacted emergency medical personnel. Using their first-aid training, the troopers helped the woman for 10 minutes before Huron Valley Ambulance paramedics and Ypsilanti Township firefighters arrived.
“We’re pretty proud of them right now,” Thompson said Wednesday.
The woman was taken to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital for treatment, and Thompson said she’s expected to recover.
Przybylo and Bluhm were not available for comment about the incident Wednesday morning.
While it’s unusual for a traffic stop to take such a dramatic turn, Thompson said troopers are familiar with helping citizens in need of emergency medical attention.
“It happens on occasion,” he said.
Thompson said the rescue might be especially special for Bluhm, who is one of the Michigan State Police Brighton Post’s newest troopers. Thompson said Bluhm recently graduated from the Michigan State Police Training Academy.
“It’s probably a special thing for him,” Thompson said.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.