GALVESTON, Texas -- A doctor faced two counts of drug possession charges Wednesday after he was found with an intravenous line in his arm following a serious car crash, authorities said.

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Hospital Discusses Case

Officers said they found Casey Green's upside-down car after it crashed and fell 20 feet over the Galveston seawall.

Green is a fourth-year resident at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

"It was a serious accident and he was in the ICU for several days," said Dr. Thomas Blackwell, with UTMB.

Blackwell is in charge of UTMB's nearly 600 residents.

Police reported that Green had an intravenous line protruding from a vein in his arm when he was found.

The report also mentioned a variety of narcotics, including morphine and an anti-nausea drug designed for chemotherapy patients, found inside the vehicle, officials said.

Blackwell said the combination of drugs is puzzling.

"That would not be a drug that people would get addicted to. No, it's not a scheduled narcotic," Blackwell said.

UTMB officials said they did not know if Green was being treated for cancer or another medical condition, or if Green is an anesthesiologist with a drug addiction problem.

"They work and handle these drugs on a daily basis. Does that mean they have an increased likelihood of becoming an abuser? I don't know. But certainly, they have access. But we do monitor this closely," Blackwell said.

Galveston police and the district attorney's office are investigating the misdemeanor and felony charges.

Unless there's a felony conviction, Green will return to staff when he recovers, officials said.

UTMB officials said they are prepared to refer Green or any other doctor with a possible addition to its employee assistance program.

"Obviously, we have a duty to protect the patient's welfare and that is why we monitor these individuals very closely," Blackwell said.

A Galveston police officer is posted next to Green's hospital bed since the doctor is technically in police custody.