Passed Out in the Wendy’s Drive-Thru… Then Overdosed in the Pizza Hut Bathroom
If you needed more proof that Scioto County is clinging to its grim title as Ohio’s overdose capital, look no further than a single day on the Scioto Trail, where two drug-related incidents played out like scenes from a grim reality show.
Scene One: Wake-Up Call at Wendy’s
Just before 7 a.m., bleary-eyed customers at Wendy’s got more than their morning coffee when they found a man passed out behind the wheel in the drive-thru lane. Police say Michael Pendleton was slumped over in his car, and a quick investigation turned up drug possession charges.
But that was just the beginning of his problems.
Pendleton, who was already on probation after a 2024 conviction for disorderly conduct and failure to maintain control of a vehicle, had his car impounded and a holder placed on him by his probation officer — ensuring he wouldn’t be walking out of jail anytime soon.
Scene Two: Overdose in the Pizza Hut Bathroom
By 7 p.m., officers were called out again — this time to the Pizza Hut, just a few blocks down the same road, where a woman had reportedly overdosed in the men’s bathroom.
Witnesses told police the woman was barely breathing, hunched over and unresponsive. Medics loaded her into the squad, but she jumped out mid-transport, forcing police to intervene. Though combative, she ultimately agreed to be taken to the hospital by patrol car rather than ambulance.
Welcome to Scioto County, Ground Zero for the Opioid Epidemic
These back-to-back incidents — both within 12 hours and a mile apart — are more than isolated events. They’re a snapshot of the larger crisis plaguing Portsmouth and Scioto County, a region repeatedly ranked among the highest in the state for overdose deaths.
From fast food parking lots to public bathrooms, the opioid crisis is no longer hidden — it’s playing out in broad daylight, in front of families, workers, and first responders already stretched thin.
What Needs to Change?
Local leaders are calling for more treatment options, mental health outreach, and law enforcement support. But residents also need to stay alert:
- If you see someone slumped over in a vehicle or public place, call 911. It could save a life.
- Encourage friends and loved ones in recovery to stay connected to support networks.
- Report suspected drug activity. Anonymous tips can help direct resources to the right places.
Until real change comes, scenes like these will keep playing out along the Trail — making Scioto County’s overdose problem everyone’s problem.
