Underhill died of accidental drug overdose
Lake Valley firefighter Brandon Underhill died from an “accidental multiple drug overdose,” according to El Dorado County sheriff’s Lt. Pete Van Arnum.
The exact drugs are not being released, but Van Arnum said, “It was all basically prescription drugs.”
Underhill had been on leave from the department at the time of his Sept. 29 death because of a back injury. He had worked for Lake Valley since 2005.
Based on the amount of drugs in his system and speaking to family and friends, it was determined the overdose was accidental. He was 34.
— Lake Tahoe News staff report
Police, firemen and politicians are always reticent to see the human frailties of their members.
This post proves the ugliness of this site if it was ever in doubt. Mitch served this community, and his family is left devastated. His death is not news, he is not a public official, why and how he died is their private pain and loss. Kae Reed should take a lesson from her girlfriend’s article about grieving and learn some decorum and allow Mitch’s family to grieve n private.
Becky let me give you another take. I had extreme back pain as well. The combinations of drugs I was taking was absolutely a potentially fatal combination. The PA at my surgeons office turned white when I told her what I was taking.
Mitch wasn’t alone in this. There are many of us out there and Mitch’s death is a strong reminder to those of us dealing with chronic pain that the drug combinations we may be taking can be fatal. He may save a life. It certainly scared me and I was right exactly where he was.
My sympathies to the family.
I can’t imagine.
I’m with Moral Hazard, others can benefit from this information, this is a good reminder that prescription medications are not risk free.