Medical examiner’s report on Southport officer killed in crash released

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Southport police officer killed when he crashed his cruiser last month while off duty had been suffering from depression and anxiety, according to a medical examiner’s report obtained by WWAY.

Ofc. Jason Freeman, 29, died when his car ran off of Stone Chimney Road near Supply around 5 a.m. March 12.

According to the report, Freeman was unrestrained in the car and died of multiple blunt force injuries in the crash. A Highway Patrol report said he was going 100 mph when he ran off the road and crashed. The ME’s report says the investigating trooper reported Freeman was going 80 mph in the 55 mph zone.

According to the ME’s report, Freeman, who was found wearing only a blue robe, had a history of hypertension, depression and anxiety, according to his wife. But she told investigators he was not taking any medicine daily and that his depression and anxiety were “lately much better.” She said he had been prescribed medicine for depression and anxiety, but she did not know the last time he had taken it.

A toxicology report released last week said Freeman’s blood alcohol level was 0.18. That’s more than twice the legal limit of 0.08. The ME’s report says it was “(r)eported ‘few beers’ and ‘few shots’ last evening over ‘several hours.”

Freeman is survived by his wife and three children.