(L.A.) Miguel Cano, 34, Died From Illicit Drug Use

Case Number: 2025-10670

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 34-year-old Latino male that occurred at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

The coroner’s office identified the man as Miguel Cano.

Manner of Death: Accident

Cause of Death: Effects of Fentanyl

RIP MIGUEL CANO (January 3, 1991 – July 2, 2025)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Wednesday at 1:40 a.m.

UPDATE: Ruling by the deputy medical examiner was published in late February the following year, presumably after the results of tox screening had finally come back from the lab. This is considered an accidental, i.e., unintentional, drug overdose.

The decedent was a California Highway Patrol officer was died after his patrol car crashed into a tree in Culver City just after 12:30 a.m.

Preliminary reports suggest that Officer Cano may have suffered a medical emergency prior to losing control of the vehicle, which then left the roadway and struck the tree.

He and another CHP officer were transporting a detained person when the crash occurred.

First responders administered life-saving measures, including Narcan, due to concerns he might have been exposed to fentanyl.

PLAUSIBLE SCENARIO

The subject believed he had acquired cocaine powder. As is common practice among users, he likely dipped his finger into the substance and applied it to his gums or tongue for a taste test. Unbeknownst to him, the powder was pure fentanyl, which was rapidly absorbed through the oral mucosa, leading to acute opioid intoxication, sudden unconsciousness, and collapse while driving during his work shift. This scenario aligns with the toxicology findings of fentanyl without cocaine, as even a minimal amount via this route can cause overdose.