DETROIT – A medical emergency played out in a Wayne County courtroom Thursday as the Oakland County chief medical examiner was testifying on the stand.
It was a defibrillator and quick action from others in the courtroom that saved Dr. L. J. Dragovic's life as he suffered a heart attack.
The well-known and well-respected Dragovic was toward the end of a cross-examination in a Wayne County murder case when jurors and attorneys in court realized something was wrong. The medical examiner did not immediately respond to a question and looked as though he was biting his lip.
Local 4 is told defense attorney Todd Flood ran up to the witness stand to ask Dragovic if he was OK. A juror who is also a nurse immediately realized the man was having a heart attack. The nurse told others what to do as another attorney ran to get the defibrillator.
Two jurors helped give Dragovic CPR. They revived him with help from a police officer.
He was conscious and waved to the courtroom as he was taken out by EMS. He was a hospital Thursday night in serious condition. He is expected to make a full recovery.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Dragovic and his family," said Wayne Count Prosecutor Kym Worthy in a statement. "Nothing is more important than his health at this time."
The judge will reconvene court at 9:30 a.m. Friday.