Autopsy report shows meth in officer’s system

SAN ANTONIO — The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s office issued a report on Thursday saying that former Nixon Police Officer Mike Villarreal, 51, of San Antonio died from blunt force trauma in an April 12 car crash. Methamphetamine and naproxen (an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory) were found in his bloodstream, officials say.

Villarreal, who was on-duty with the Pearsall Police Department at the time of the incident was en route to Jourdanton transporting a juvenile offender to a detention facility.

The Texas Highway Patrol reported that at 1:35 p.m. that day Villarreal’s patrol car collided with another vehicle. The head-on collision occurred five miles west of Jourdanton on Highway 97 when Villarreal’s patrol car crossed a double yellow centerline and veered into oncoming traffic. The patrol car collided head-on with a Ford F-350 pickup. Villarreal died at the scene.

The juvenile and the driver of the other vehicle sustained critical injuries, and were airlifted to University Hospital in San Antonio. It was later reported that they recovered from their injuries.

Pearsall Police Capt. Jim Taylor said no narcotics were found in Villarreal’s patrol car, and that there has been no determination as to how or when the officer may have ingested the drug.

“The problem is the time span between him taking the drug and then driving,” Taylor said. “That makes it difficult to time frame.”

Taylor added that while at the time of Villarreal’s death a random drug testing policy was not in effect, City Manager José Trevino has since drafted one, and that it is currently awaiting HR approval.

“The Pearsall Police Dept. requests that the utmost sensitivity and understanding be afforded to, not only Officer Villarreal’s family and friends, but also to the other individuals injured in this accident, as well as their family and friends,” the organization said on its website. “All of them remain in our thoughts and prayers.”