ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — WFTV has learned that an anesthesiologist at the Parrish Medical Center in Titusville was fired after graphic video showed him bashing his face against the back seat divider as he sat in a Florida Highway Patrol cruiser following a drunken driving arrest.
The suspect, Dr. Zach Bird, was fired from his position at the hospital on Thursday. Bird’s employer, Team Health, told WFTV they have also suspended the doctor indefinitely.
However, legal analyst Bill Sheaffer, who's represented health care professionals in trouble, said it's likely Bird will not lose his license.
“If there are no prior incidents and because this did not occur when he was on staff at a hospital, the likelihood is there would be some rehabilitation or counseling as opposed to loss of license,” Sheaffer said.
Video from inside the patrol car shows Bird going berserk after troopers searched his pockets and found $40,000 in cash.
"All of the officers are stealing my money!" Bird can be heard screaming, though no money was actually taken, police said.
Police said Bird was driving along State Route 417 early Sunday morning when investigators said he nearly ran a trooper off the road. Bird was pulled over and failed a field sobriety test, police said.
When troopers searched his pockets, they found the cash. In his car, police said they found another $14,000.
Police then searched Bird in the back of the cruiser, which is when he began banging his head into the plexiglass divider, screaming and kicking, saying, “Take me to the hospital!"
As the smashing continues, blood starts running down Bird’s forehead, into his eyes and mouth.
He also continuously screamed, "Stop stealing my money!"
Troopers, concerned Bird would seriously injure himself, pulled the handcuffed man back out of the cruiser.
“When they got him out of the vehicle, he swallowed, took a deep breath and mouthful of blood, spit blood all over one of my sergeant's faces,” said Kim Montes of the FHP.
Bird was facing a DUI charge, but after spitting the blood, he’s now being charged with resisting arrest with violence, as well as property damage, since he broke the glass with his face.
The FHP had to have a biohazard team clean the interior of the cruiser. Officers said they’re also getting the vehicle fixed after Bird repeatedly kicked in the door as he sat in the back seat.
On top of the cash, investigators said they also found unknown pills and two handguns in Bird’s car.
WFTV
