Oakland County medical examiner suffers heart attack while testifying in Wayne County court

Jurors, attorneys spring into action to save Dr. L.J. Dragovic as he suffers heart attack on stand

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.


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