Billerica police officer hospitalized after Fentanyl exposure; Lowell man Charles Lang arrested
BILLERICA - A Lowell man is facing charges after police said he ripped open a bag of Fentanyl, exposing a Billerica police officer who had to be hospitalized.
On Wednesday afternoon, police said they stopped a car on Webb Brook Road for a canceled registration. The driver, Charles Lang, also allegedly had a suspended license. The responding officer said she noticed Lang was trying to destroy a small bag containing a powdery substance.
After a brief struggle, Lang allegedly tore the bag open and the powdery substance flew everywhere.
"She ultimately tried to put her hands and stop the person from continuing to destroy the evidence. While she was doing that, she was inhaling and aspirating a large amount of powder that was in the air," explained Billerica Police Chief Roy Frost. "She believed it was probably heroin which unfortunately is usually fentanyl these days."
Lang was taken into custody and when they returned to the police station, the responding officer started to vomit and passed out. She was taken to the hospital for fentanyl exposure and is expected to be OK.
Frost said Narcan wasn't readily available at the time and he's now made sure it'll be in the booking area in case this happens again.
