In the past 24 hours, Union City, California, has witnessed a surge of fentanyl-related overdoses, with two fatalities reported. The Union City Police Department (UCPD) is urging the public to be vigilant as it actively investigates these incidents to identify the origins of this deadly drug.
On Tuesday, officers discovered an unresponsive individual in the area of Medallion Dr. and Whipple Rd., leading to an unsuccessful attempt at life-saving measures, with the victim ultimately succumbing to suspected fentanyl overdose.
Later that evening, on the Hayward-Union City border, emergency medical services attended the scene of another unresponsive individual. This teenager, a 17-year-old, was found cold to the touch and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Traveling not too far from this location, authorities would encounter a second unresponsive victim who, fortunately, was revived and transported to a local hospital.
Earlier today, a series of alarming events would ensue. First, an individual was discovered gasping for air in a restroom on Western Avenue. The Alameda County Fire Department hastily administered Narcan, successfully reviving them. Shortly thereafter, another individual was found unresponsive in a vehicle in the parking lot of the same property. Union City Police Department and Alameda County Fire Department cruisers raced to the scene and again administered life-saving Narcan to the overdosing victim.
According to the Union City PD report, suspected fentanyl was found within the vehicle where the last overdose occurred.
The UCPD is putting its resources to work in hopes of tracing the suspected fentanyl's source. They are encouraging the public to actively contribute any relevant information that might assist in their investigation and are opening the doors to anonymous tip submissions via 510-675-5207 or [email protected]. Inquiries from the media are directed to Sergeant Jean Jimenez at 510-458-3746.
