NORTH COLLINS — Erie County Sheriff John Garcia reports that a deputy was overcome by fentanyl exposure while responding to a vehicle off the roadway call late Monday night.

Deputies responded to Belcher and New Oregon roads in the town of North Collins. When the deputies arrived, they observed the vehicle in a ditch, a female passenger in the front seat, and syringes on the floor.

Upon arrival, the female was unresponsive. Deputies were eventually able to get her attention and she exited the vehicle. As Deputy Bartholomew was searching for the female’s identification, he came across multiple syringes in her belongings. Shortly after that, his partner, Deputy Dreyer, noticed Bartholomew kneeling on the ground in discomfort. The deputies learned that there was fentanyl in the vehicle and that Bartholomew was exposed to the substance.

North Collins EMS personnel administered two doses of Narcan to Deputy Bartholomew, and he was transported to South Buffalo Mercy Hospital. Deputy Bartholomew was admitted to the emergency room for evaluation and further treatment. Bartholomew was released Tuesday morning.

The passenger, 31-year-old Megan Duncan, was transported to South Buffalo Mercy Hospital for treatment of minor injuries sustained during the crash. She has outstanding warrants from the town of Amherst and will be released to police custody following her treatment.

The investigation into the incident remains under investigation.