Man charged for 2023 fatal fentanyl overdose in Jefferson County

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A man is facing charges after he allegedly provided the drugs that killed a man in 2023.

Eric Zmitravich, 42, is facing felony charges after he allegedly provided fentanyl to three men who all overdosed, one of which was fatal, according to a criminal complaint. On April 25, 2023, officers from the Pennsylvania State Police out of Punxsutawney were called to a home on the 2000 block of Harmony Road in Young Township for a report of three unresponsive men.

On scene, EMS found two men who were unresponsive and one man, later identified as Robert Harmick Jr., who was already deceased. The two men were transported by EMS and when police arrived on scene they found Zmitravich and a woman. The woman told police in an interview that she and Zmitravich had arrived at the home to find the three men lying on the floor and called 911 for help. Police noted that they could not interview Zmitravich as he was “visibly under the influence.”

During a search of the home, police found multiple items of drug paraphernalia and suspected controlled substances. They also noted that they found a handbag that contained multiple items of suspected controlled substances. All of these were seized and placed into evidence, according to an affidavit.

The two men who overdosed were taken to the Punxsutawney Area Hospital. One was released later that day and taken to the Jefferson County Jail on other warrants. The second had to be taken to another hospital for long-term treatment as a result of the overdose, according to the report.

On April 28, Zmitravich was screened by PA State Parole and tested positive for methamphetamine and fentanyl. On May 1, 2023, police interviewed the man who overdosed and was arrested at the jail about what had happened. He reported that Zmitravich and the woman were at the home with him and the other victims and they had used methamphetamine and alleged cocaine. He added that the drugs came from Zmitravich and that soon after they took the alleged cocaine they passed out.

In the interview with police, the man added that he had taken cocaine before and was aware of its effects, but added that what Zmitravich provided did not feel the same. He said that he felt that the cocaine was actually fentanyl and accused Zmitravich of giving it to them intentionally.

Police applied for and were granted warrants for the toxicology reports of the two men who overdosed. Reports showed that they both had methamphetamine and fentanyl in their system. On May 24, 2023, the autopsy report of the victim showed that he had fentanyl and methamphetamine in his system. The Jefferson County coroner ruled his death as fentanyl, methamphetamine toxicity and that his consumption of the drug was “a direct and substantial factor in his death.”

In a follow-up interview with the woman from the scene, she allegedly admitted to police that she lied during the first interview. She admitted that she and Zmitravich were there before the overdoses started and that they had brought the drugs to the scene, according to the criminal complaint. She added that Zmitravich was the one who allegedly bought and sold drugs, but that she had brought the drugs that night in her purse. She added that Zmitravich told them all that he had cocaine and that all four men did a line. Soon after she said they all passed out at which point she used Narcan to wake Zmitravich back up.

She continued to tell police that 48 hours prior to the incident she had gone with Zmitravich to buy meth, cocaine and fentanyl in Ohio. Zmitravich then allegedly began bagging the cocaine and fentanyl but got the two confused because they looked alike, according to the complaint. The woman added that Zmitravich allegedly took what he thought was cocaine, which was actually fentanyl, and that he overdosed and she had to use Narcan to revive him.

In the interview with police, the woman said she was upset the night of the incident because she thought Zmitravich had thrown away the cocaine and fentanyl after the first overdose. According to the affidavit, she confirmed to police that Zmitravich told all three men that he had cocaine.

Police added that the drugs they found inside the purse were swabbed for DNA evidence and were positive for Zmitravich’s DNA.

In an interview with police, Zmitravich allegedly admitted to doing meth but then said that the woman was the one who had brought the drugs and that he did not know she had them. Police told him that his DNA was found on the baggies, but he said that was “impossible.” He also denied having or providing any drugs that night.

Zmitravich is facing felony charges for drug delivery resulting in death, possession with the intent to deliver and misdemeanor charges of recklessly endangering another person and involuntary manslaughter.

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He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Sept. 12.

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