The state medical examiner has ruled that a Bowling Green man who was Tased by police following a car accident died because of “agitated excited delirium.”

The report said that Michael Roll, 52, who died March 12, entered that delirium and suffered a heart attack because of the level of drugs that were in his system, in combination with a pre-existing heart condition.

“Tasering had nothing to do with causing his death,” said David Goins, a Warren County deputy coroner.

The report indicates that Roll’s blood had a high level of cocaine, benzoylecgonine (the substance cocaine metabolizes into), caffeine, nicotine and other compounds. His urine tested positive for meth.

“This poor guy was even smoking a pipe with something in it after the accident,” Goins said. 

Kentucky State Police responded to a single-vehicle collision near the Natcher Parkway’s 4-mile marker at 10:52 p.m. March 12, according to a news release issued after the incident by KSP Post 3 in Bowling Green.

KSP Sgt. Jeremy Smith, Trooper Briston Smith and Warren County Sheriff’s Deputy Shane Montgomery found a 1995 Toyota 4-Runner overturned and on its driver’s side in the northbound lanes.

Goins said that Roll was intoxicated by the drugs, which likely caused the accident.

“We’re just lucky no one else was hurt,” he said.

The ME’s report, relying on information provided by KSP, said that Roll became violent, swinging at bystanders who were trying to help, while talking about snakes in his vehicle. He didn’t respond to law enforcement and first responders, saying “my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will save me.” Goins said that was the drugs talking.

When Roll left the vehicle, he fell head first onto the pavement, becoming agitated and combative. Police told him to stay down and used a Taser on him. Roll stood up anyway and continued being noncompliant. Police used a Taser on Roll again and he rolled down an embankment into a ditch. He continued to be noncompliant and a Taser was used again.

“He eventually rolled into a prone position with his hands tucked under his body,” the report read.

Police used a Taser on Roll two more times while trying to get him cuffed.

“After further struggle to pull his arms out, he was found to be unresponsive. … He was rolled over and resuscitation efforts began … , ” the ME’s report reads.

“Officers were never on his torso and airways were not obstructed by water in the ditch,” the report says.

The autopsy shows that Roll had blunt-force injuries of the head, torso and extremities and injuries consistent with Taser probe punctures on the chest (three) and left thigh (one) and a Taser being used in “drive stun mode” to his lower back.

In addition to being a chronic drug user – based on levels in his system, according to Goins – Roll also was obese and had coronary artery disease, as well as other heart issues.

— Follow city editor Robyn L. Minor on Twitter at @bowserminor or visit bgdailynews.com.