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Police say dad apparently overdoses with son in car

A 13-year-old boy jumped from the back seat of a car that went out of control in a Butler shopping plaza Thanksgiving morning when his father suffered an apparent heroin overdose, authorities said.

Neither the boy nor his father were hurt in the wreck but medical crews had to use the anti-opioid drug naloxone to save the 34-year-old man’s life.

Butler police arrested the Clay Township area man but an incident report was not available this morning.

The suspect was driving a 2010 Ford Focus on Hansen Avenue about 10:30 a.m. Thursday when he passed out, emergency officials said.

While the car traveled between 500 and 600 feet through the Pullman Square parking lot, the man’s son opened the rear driver’s side door and “bailed out,” said Capt. Tom Fair of the Butler Fire Department.

Seconds later, the car plowed through shrubbery before slamming into the curb in front of the Arby’s restaurant drive-through exit.

“He was dead at that point,” Fair said of the man.

Butler fire department and Butler Ambulance Service medics, however, quickly administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation and Narcan to revive the man. He refused further medical treatment.

Authorities said a syringe was among the drug contraband found in the car, which sustained moderate damage.

Rescuers were particularly concerned for the man’s son.

“He wasn’t hurt but he was shook up,” Fair said of the boy. “He was probably more scared for his dad.

“It was sad to see a 13-year-old go through that. I feel bad for him. He was cordial and very polite.”

The boy’s father and mother, who lives in Beaver County, are believed to be separated.

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