Crashes, injuries and fatalities related to drugs are all on the rise in Ohio.
Law enforcement officials told News 5 the heroin epidemic is playing a role.
A crash Thursday night in Cleveland at Lorain Avenue and West 44th Street is an example of the mounting statistics.
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The driver overdosed behind the wheel. Officials told News 5 it took 10 doses of heroin's reversal drug naloxone to bring him back.
Highway patrol officials told News 5 he was charged with OVI.
According to numbers provided by the state, drugged driving fatalities have nearly doubled in the past 5 years. From 108 in 2012 to 204 in 2016.
"The biggest concern for us, these tend to happen in the daylight hours, when we have a lot more people on the road," Matt Bruning with ODOT told News 5.
Officials say the uptick means drivers should be extremely cautious no matter what time they're getting behind the wheel.
"Drive defensively. Be aware of your surroundings and be extra alert when you're driving," Bruning added.
