Published: November 06, 2008 11:16 pm      

Records shed light on doctor's arrest

Catlettsburg — Additional details have emerged regarding the arrest of a local cardiologist on a felony cocaine-possession charge.

Dr. John M. Van Deren was arrested shortly after 9 p.m. Monday by Kentucky State Police after the agency was notified by a federal drug task force in Cabell County, W.Va., that one of its officers was following a vehicle suspected of having narcotics in it, according to a citation filed in Boyd District Court.

KSP Troopers Shane Goodall and Shawn Podunavac located the vehicle traveling eastbound on Interstate 64 near the Coalton exit. Goodall observed the vehicle, a 2008 BMW M3, “swaying side to side across the center line and over the fog line,” the citation states.

The driver, later identified as Van Deren, pulled off the interstate at the Coalton exit. Goodall approached the car and asked Van Deren to step out.

A sergeant with the drug task force then asked Van Deren if there was “anything illegal” in the car, and Van Deren replied that there was, the citation states.

Van Deren, 50, of the 300 block of Buena Vista Drive, told the officers the locations of several hydrocodone and oxycodone tablets, along with a white, powdery substance in a cellophane wrapper, which the doctor said was cocaine. The powder was located in the map pocket in the driver’s-side door of the vehicle, according to the citation.

Van Deren performed poorly on field sobriety tests, the KSP noted. His eyes were “glassy and bloodshot,” he had trouble following instructions and his speech was slurred.

Van Deren was taken to Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital, but refused blood and urine tests. En route to the KSP’s Ashland post, he told troopers he had taken hydrocodone and cocaine prior to the traffic stop, the citation states.

Van Deren was lodged in the Boyd County Detention Center, charged with first- and second-degree possession of controlled substances, driving under the influence, with aggravating circumstances, and careless driving.

First-degree possession is a Class D felony that carries a possible one- to five-year prison sentence. The other charges are misdemeanors.

Van Deren was released from jail on $2,500 bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned in district court before Judge Gerald Reams on Nov. 19.

Van Deren is a practicing cardiologist at King’s Daughters Medical Center, according to the hospital’s Web site. He also has privileges at several other area hospitals.

He graduated from Brown University Medical School in 1983 and served an internship and residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

KDMC considers Van Deren’s legal problems “a personal and private matter,” hospital spokesman Tom Dearing said in a statement.

“Doctor Van Deren is an excellent physician who is an important part of this community. We will respect his privacy while he works through this issue.”

KENNETH HART can be reached at khart@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2654.