Toledo Mayor Hurt After Cardiac Arrest While Driving

Feb. 02--Toledo Mayor D. Michael Collins suffered cardiac arrest while driving during the start of a major snowstorm and crashed his vehicle into a utility pole Sunday afternoon and was hospitalized in critical condition.

City Council President Paula Hicks-Hudson was sworn in as acting mayor at 5:23 p.m., at the University of Toledo Medical Center where the mayor was being treated in the intensive care unit. Under the city charter, the council president becomes acting mayor if the mayor becomes "temporarily disabled."

The 70-year-old mayor's city-owned sport-utility vehicle struck a utility pole on Hill Avenue at Parkside Boulevard shortly before 2 p.m.

Two citizens identified as a woman named Evelyn Johnson and an unidentified man broke out the rear window of Mr. Collins' 2011 GMC Terrain because he was not responsive inside the locked car, said Lisa Ward, Mr. Collins's executive officer. The rear window was broken to protect the occupant from broken glass, Ms. Ward said.

Their efforts to help Mr. Collins drew emotional words of gratitude from the mayor's staff and a cardiologist at UTMC, the former Medical College of Ohio, at a 5:15 p.m. news conference to inform the public about the mayor's life-threatening condition.

The mayor's medical crisis followed a meeting he had with Lucas County Sheriff John Tharp where they agreed to issue a notice of a Level 3 snow emergency allowing only emergency vehicles to be on the streets. The declaration was made because of an ongoing snowstorm that was expected to dump a foot or more of snow in the Toledo area Sunday and today.

Acting Mayor Hicks-Hudson first took council office in 2011. 

Good Samaritan at Scene

The mayor was one of several local officials to brief the media at noon Sunday on the Level 3 snow emergency.

"We believe that it is sound public policy," he said of the Level 3 decision. "That while it may be an inconvenience, an inconvenience is better than the alternative, and that's needless risks to human life."

He urged the community to look out for one another and prioritize safety.

"This community has been defined as a community of compassion," he said. "And now I'm talking not only of Toledo, but Toledo and all the general areas. Be mindful of your neighbors, particularly the seniors. Look out for them. Clear their walks. See what their needs are. This is a time that a community comes together and defines itself as it relates to its character."

Mr. Collins was alone in his car and was returning to his home in South Toledo after a shopping trip to Costco in West Toledo, Ms. Ward said. She said the location was roughly on his way home, though he was prone to taking the long way to view road conditions.

She said the crash was reported by the two good Samaritans at 1:50 p.m., and emergency responders were on the scene at 1:55 p.m. According to fire department spokesman Lt. Matthew Hertzfeld, the units were Life Squad 1, medical and engine from Station 4, and an engine from Station 16. Ms. Ward said the crash remains under investigation, including how the cardiac arrest was a factor.

Initially, he was described as "unresponsive" when he was in the medical center's heart catheterization lab.

"It's too early to determine a prognosis for Mayor Collins," said cardiologist Christopher Cooper, senior vice president for clinical affairs. Dr. Cooper said the mayor arrived at the emergency room at 2:22 p.m. after having suffered cardiac arrest.

Appearing to compose his emotions, the doctor extended his "very sincere gratitude" to a citizen who initiated care for the mayor and to the "heroic efforts" of Toledo firefighters and police.

Toledo Chief of Staff Robert Reinbolt also thanked the citizen and urged other citizens to keep Mayor Collins in their prayers.

Late Sunday night, Mr. Collins remained heavily sedated and in critical condition.

Stacy Weber, spokesman for the mayor Collins, attributed her update to Dr. Cooper.

"At this time he is being heavily sedated and closely monitored," Ms. Weber said. "At this point it is too early yet to establish the timing or likelihood of his recovery."

She said an additional update on Mayor Collins's condition will be made 10 a.m. today.

Staff writer Lauren Lindstrom contributed to this report.

Contact Tom Troy: tomtroy@theblade.com or 419-724-6058 or on Twitter @TomFTroy.

Contact Ignazio Messina at: imessina@theblade.com or 419-724-6171 or on Twitter @IgnazioMessina.

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