On November 9, 2007, Mr. Privett (of Whitwell, Tennessee) was out binge drinking with friends, when he passed out. When his friends realized he wasn't breathing, they loaded him into a car and headed for a hospital. It was too late.
As always, my condolences to his family and friends.
A young man who police say drank himself to death will be laid to rest Tuesday.
18-year-old Hershel Edward Privett Jr., who graduated from Whitwell High School last year, died sometime late Friday night or Saturday morning.
Marion County investigators say he died of alcohol poisoning after binge-drinking with five other people. Marion County Sheriff Bo Burnett said Privett had a blood alcohol content over four-times the legal limit for intoxication, in the .30 to .40 range.
Privett's body was found in the back of a Chevy SUV when a Powell's Crossroads' police officer pulled the truck over for speeding on Highway 283 near the Sequatchie River.
The other men in the truck told police they were taking Privett to a hospital.
Three 18-year-olds who were with Privett that night are charged with underage drinking.
19-year-old Cody Smith is charged with tampering with a crime scene, underage drinking and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
And 23-year-old Gary Ray Dickens is charged with criminally negligent homicide and five counts of giving alcohol to minors. Burnett said Dickens bought the alcohol for the minors.
Friends of Privett said when the men who were with him Friday night first noticed he was passed out they shaved his head and painted him green as a joke - before realizing he wasn't going to wake up.
Whitwell High School principal Wes Green said "he was as friendly and as courteous as a student could be. He always had a smile on his face and always had a pleasant word to say to someone."
Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at Whitwell Memorial Funeral.
A bond hearing for Smith and Dickens is set for 8:30 Tuesday morning in Marion County General Sessions Court.
In 2004, at least nineteen people of college age died of alcohol toxicity (alcohol poisoning, alcohol overdose).
"There's no place that's actually keeping data on alcohol deaths"--Thomas Kunstman MD
In all cases, my deepest condolences to family and friends.
Underage Alcohol Deaths 2004
Underage Alcohol Deaths 2005
Underage Alcohol Deaths 2006
Signs of Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol
depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing,
the heartbeat and the gag reflex that prevents choking. A fatal dose of
alcohol will eventually stop these functions. After the victim stops
drinking, the heart keeps beating, and the alcohol in the stomach
continues to enter the bloodstream and circulate through the system.
The victim may experience the following:
- Mental confusion, stupor, coma, unable to rouse the person
- No response to pinching the skin
- Vomiting while sleeping or unresponsive
- Seizures
- Slowed breathing (fewer than 8 breaths per minute)
- Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)
- Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, paleness
Alcohol Poisoning Requires Immediate Medical Attention
Alcohol Poisoning Cannot Be Reversed By:
- Drinking black coffee
- Taking a cold bath or shower
- Walking it off
The victim must have immediate medical attention.
Call 911, stay with the victim to prevent him choking on vomit, and tell emergency personnel how much alcohol the victim drank.
These Children Died of Alcohol Overdose, So Their Parents Started Foundations:
Taylor Webster's memorial foundation. Taylor died of alcohol poisoning at age 19-- Now his family and friends are working to get the message out, telling their stories and providing information on alcohol poisoning and the signs and symtoms of alcohol poisoning in hopes that lives will be saved.
Bradley McCue's memorial foundation. On November 5, 1998 Bradley turned 21. . He celebrated his birthday in a way that has become increasingly popular, drinking "his age in shots". That amount of alcohol was lethal and he died that night of alcohol poisoning.
Samantha Spady's memorial foundation. A 19-year old student at Colorado State University, Spady died of alcohol poisoning on September 5, 2004, "an unintentional tragedy." The Spadys say the SAM [Student Alcohol Management] Spady Foundation will develop peer-to-peer counseling and other services meant to reduce the risk of alcohol abuse.
Gordie Bailey's memorial foundation. The mission of the Gordie Foundation is to provide today’s youth with the skills to navigate the dangers of alcohol, and through education and promotion of self worth prevent alcohol poisoning, binge drinking and hazing.
NO HE DIDNT DIE OF OVER DOSE THEY DIDNT HEAD TO THE HOSPITAL THEY KILLED HIM WITH THE PAINT IN HIS MOUTH EYES EVERYWERE
Posted by: NATHAN PRIVETT | Friday, February 06, 2009 at 08:09 PM
IM HIS BROTHER AND SPRAY PAINT HAS ETHANOLE IN IT BEFOR YOU PUT YOUR BUISNESS IN SOMTHING GET THE FACTS SRAIT. WANT TO ASK QUESTOINS USE MY E MAIL. GOT THAT
Posted by: NATHAN PRIVETT | Friday, February 06, 2009 at 08:12 PM