EAST LIVERPOOL, OH – A man and woman were arrested after overdosing in their car while a 4-year-old boy was in the back seat on Wednesday in East Liverpool, Ohio.
Police say before the man lost consciousness, he was driving erratically, and nearly hit a school bus while children were exiting.
The situation could have ended much worse if it weren't for the work of a police officer who wasn't even on duty yet. East Liverpool Patrolman Kevin Thompson was taking his normal route to work when this all unfolded right in front of him.
"It's one of those things, you're a police officer 24 hours a day, even in your personal vehicle, and when you're traveling to and from work," Thompson told WTOV.
As the officer followed the vehicle down a hill, a school bus was dropping off kids at the end of the day.
The suspect hit the brakes and skidded to a stop, avoiding a collision with the bus or students.
"Minutes could've meant the difference between how it played out to what could've happened. Somebody could've been killed or seriously injured," Thompson said.
Thompson went up to the vehicle and found Pasek slumped over in the passenger's seat with her son in the back. He took the keys out of the ignition when Acord tried to drive off. Acord passed out shortly after.
A neighbor is now caring for the boy.
Acord pleaded no contest to OVI and endangering children. He was sentenced to 360 days in jail, ordered to pay a $475 fine, and has a 3-year license suspension.
Pasek pleaded not guilty to endangering children, public intoxication, and a seatbelt violation. Her bond was set at $150,000.