DOTHAN: A Dothan man died behind the wheel of his vehicle after a fentanyl overdose in late September, and police say they have arrested the person responsible for supplying the deadly drug.
Shortly before 3:00 a.m. on September 20, officers responded to the intersection of West Powell Street and North Herring Street after a vehicle had been sitting through the light for more than 30 minutes. Inside, they found 41-year-old Joel Nicholson unresponsive in the driver’s seat, his foot still on the brake.
First responders administered Narcan in an attempt to revive him, but Nicholson was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy later confirmed he died from a fentanyl overdose.
During the investigation, Dothan Police identified the individual believed to have sold Nicholson the fentanyl. On October 1, officers executed a search warrant at a residence in the 400 block of Pine Hills Drive. There, 39-year-old Vikthor Roman was taken into custody.
Police say Roman admitted during an interview to supplying Nicholson with the fentanyl. He is charged with manslaughter-fentanyl and is being held in the Houston County Jail without bond.
“Fentanyl is a dangerous substance that affects the lives of many in our community,” Police Chief William E. Benny said in a statement. “Those who are possessing and/or distributing this dangerous substance in our community will be found, will be arrested, and will be prosecuted to the fullest allowed by law. We take our responsibility seriously to get these dangerous drugs off the street to protect our community.”
