Autopsy of doctor killed in elevator finds alcohol
In the investigation to date, the hospital has had no indication that alcohol played a role.
- India Chumney Hancock
The death of Dr. Hitoshi Nikaidoh was a terrible tragedy, and a gruesome one at that. Nikaidoh was trapped by the doors of an elevator, and the elevator then decapitated him as it moved upward. There is nothing to indicate that Nikaidoh was in any way responsible for his own untimely demise. Why, then, is it necessary to release information on his blood alcohol content? What possible purpose will that information serve- other than to tarnish Nikadoh's memory and embarrass his family?
The doctor killed by an elevator at the hospital where he worked had alcohol in his system when the freak accident happened, a county report said.
Assistant Medical Examiner Dr. Stephen Wilson's autopsy of Dr. Hitoshi Nikaidoh's body showed broken ribs, spinal injuries and other cuts. A portion of his head snapped off at the upper jaw, the report said. The doctor, who was on duty, had a 0.1 blood-alcohol level, high enough to be considered legally drunk if he had been driving.
"That is more alcohol than the legal limit," of .08, said Rudy Flores, a spokesman for the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office. Christus St. Joseph Hospital officials said they did not know how long he had been on duty by 9:30 a.m. Aug. 16, the time of the accident.
Nikaidoh was crushed, and his head severed when he became trapped between the doors as the elevator ascended. The 35-year-old surgical resident was pronounced dead at the scene.
Flores said Nikaidoh's body fell from the second floor down the shaft of the elevator.
The autopsy detailed numerous broken and cut bones in Nikaidoh's legs, chest and back.
Flores said the autopsy did not determine whether the elevator doors or the fall caused the injuries.
Nikaidoh's family refused to comment.
Yes, Nikaidoh was on duty, but no one has as yet divulged any information regarding long he had been on duty or if he had been treating patients. No, you wouldn't want to be treated by a doctor under the influence of alcohol, but there is no evidence that indicates that Nikaidoh was doing exactly that.
The release of the toxicology report really accomplishes only two things: first, it tarnishes the reputation of a doctor who is no longer here to defend himself. Secondly, it deflects the attention from the cause of the accident, or why Dr. Nikaidoh is dead in the first place. Of course, I would imagine that the hospital has a vested interest in deflecting attention away from the cause of the elevator's malfunction and Dr. Nikaidoh's death. Discredit the victim and tarnish his reputation, and you raise the possibility that a jury will be much less sympathetic. Could anyone be that cynical and craven? Well, if you keep in mind that the hospital is run by an organization affiliated with the Catholic Church...you can draw your own conclusions.
Dr. Hitoshi Nikaidoh is dead. Can we let him rest in peace??
