Man found dead outside UMC died from ‘fatal levels’ of drugs

A man found dead outside University Medical Center last month after being thrown out of the hospital had "fatal levels" of prescription drugs in his system.

Jason King Forrester, 43, died from ingesting a combination of methadone, morphine, oxycodone and amphetamine, according to the Clark County coroner's office. The first three drugs are powerful painkillers, and amphetamine is a psychostimulant.

His death was ruled accidental from intoxication, meaning simply that Forrester had "no intent to end his life," Coroner Mike Murphy said. Forrester was admitted to UMC after a car accident the evening before his death, but the crash had nothing to do with his death, Murphy said.

Other contributing factors included an enlarged spleen and liver, Murphy said.

It's unclear whether the hospital gave Forrester any of the drugs. Murphy couldn't comment on the issue, and, in a statement, UMC declined comment and said its internal investigation was complete.

"Mr. Forrester was determined ready for discharge after being evaluated by a physician in UMC's Trauma Center. Out of consideration for Mr. Forrester's privacy, as well as the mandatory guidelines of HIPAA, we respectfully cannot release any more details," the statement read.

Las Vegas police spokesman Bill Cassell said because the death does not appear to be the result of foul play, detectives will not investigate, but if facts change, police will "re-evaluate the situation."

Forrester was found curled into a fetal position outside the northwest entrance to the hospital's trauma center on Oct. 17.

The Irvine, Calif., man had twice been treated and released from the hospital but was removed for belligerent behavior, according to a Las Vegas police report.

About 6 p.m. the day before, Forrester crashed his red Chevrolet Silverado pickup into a vehicle parked on the shoulder of an access road leading to Interstate 15, near the Las Vegas Beltway interchange.

What caused the crash is unclear. Officers did not think Forrester was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. He also passed a field sobriety test, the report said. But both he and the person in the parked vehicle were taken to UMC for treatment.

The report said Forrester arrived at the hospital "disoriented and confused as to what happened."

While being treated, he demanded a "highly narcotic shot," but doctors didn't give it to him because of his belligerent behavior, the report said.

Doctors treated him, then removed him from the hospital.

He returned later for treatment of another injury - the report doesn't specify the injury - and again demanded the shot. Doctors treated him but again refused him the shot, "due to his behavior," the report said.

Forrester's next encounter with hospital staff came roughly 12 hours after his crash, when an employee arriving to work the day shift found him dead.

Medical staff were called, and they found Forrester, wearing a purple shirt and black pants, had no pulse. One staffer turned over his body and noticed that blood had started to pool within his body.

Police went to the scene but were waiting until the toxicology report to determine whether a follow-up investigation was needed. The status of the case was unknown Wednesday.

Forrester's brother, Nathan, declined to comment except to say he learned of his brother's cause of death earlier Wednesday.

Jason Forrester was the owner of a California construction company and a sponsor for many people in Alcoholics Anonymous.

His brother believed he was in Las Vegas for six days staying with a friend he sponsored.

A friend of Forrester, who asked to remain anonymous, was not shocked by the development. He said recovering alcoholics battle demons every day.

"I'm not completely surprised given the history of the disease of what he was going through," the friend said. "Am I disappointed? Yes."

But the friend said he always will love Forrester like a brother.

"He's still my friend. ... Nobody deserves to go through what he went through, but apparently he brought it on himself."

Review-Journal writer Antonio Planas contributed to this report. Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@review journal.com or 702-383-0283.