Trooper in Kennewick hospitalized after possible exposure to fentanyl

KENNEWICK, Wash.-- A Washington State Patrol Commercial Motor Vehicle Officer was taken to the hospital Tuesday night for possible exposure to fentanyl.

A Commercial Motor Vehicle Officer approached a dark-colored Volkswagon that was parked on the side of Highway 395 near W. 27th Ave., and found a woman passed out behind the wheel.

Troopers say the officer spotted what looked like tin foil and drug paraphernalia near the driver.

The officer eventually started talking with the woman, and when she rolled down her window he may have been exposed to fentanyl.

A trooper that arrived on scene told our news partners at KEPR Action News that the officer's health appeared to deteriorate rapidly.

Paramedics were called to the scene at 7:21pm and took the officer to the hospital.

Troopers impounded the vehicle to apply for a search warrant to search the contents of the car.

UPDATE: According to Trooper Chris Thorson with Washington State Patrol, the Commercial Motor Vehicle Officer was treated at the hospital and then released Tuesday night. He's resting at home, and expected to recover.

The woman who was contacted was not arrested, and did not require medical attention. Her car was impounded while investigators request warrants to search the vehicle.