By BEN KLEPPINGER and ABIGAIL WHITEHOUSE

advocate@amnews.com

STANFORD — A Garrard County special education teacher is facing drug charges after possibly overdosing on heroin inside a vehicle Tuesday morning.

Stephen T. Grubbs has been charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs (heroin), possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without insurance, according to Kentucky State Police.

KSP Vehicle Enforcement Officer Matthew Hutti and Stanford police officers found Grubbs unconscious behind the wheel of a wrecked vehicle along Lee Drive in Stanford at approximately 10:20 a.m. Tuesday, according to a news release from KSP.

“After arriving on scene, officers located a vehicle which appeared to have exited Lee Drive and (struck) several trees,” the release reads. “Officers then attempted to make contact with the operator (Grubbs), who appeared to be unconscious.”

KSP Vehicle Enforcement Officer Dennis Johnson said Grubbs suffered a possible overdose on heroin, but there has not been medical confirmation of that fact yet. Grubbs was not arrested because he was taken to Fort Logan Hospital for treatment.

“He was just cited because of the simple fact that he was transported to Fort Logan Hospital … and it was unsure how long he would be there seeking medical treatment,” Johnson said.

Johnson said he did not know Tuesday afternoon whether Grubbs had been released from the hospital yet.

Grubbs is listed as a special education teacher in the Garrard County School District’s staff directory. According to multiple sources, he also has a role as a coach with the Garrard County football team.

Garrard County acting Superintendent Corey Keith said Tuesday that Grubbs “has been suspended with pay pending further investigation.” Keith declined to comment further on the situation.

Stanford Police Department is investigating the collision.