DALLAS, Texas– A 39-year-old dentist was arrested in Dallas on Saturday after a police pursuit led to the discovery of 107 canisters of nitrous oxide in his vehicle.
The dentist, Christopher Michael Pedlar, a married father of three and professor at the University of Texas School of Dentistry, was allegedly inhaling nitrous oxide while driving, according to a complaint filed in Harris County District Court.
Pedlar was reportedly driving 44 mph in a 30 mph zone when law enforcement attempted to pull him over.
He allegedly refused to stop, making multiple turns and looking back in his rearview mirror during the pursuit.
Authorities eventually stopped his vehicle, where they found the nitrous oxide canisters, two of which were “extremely cold” with ice crystals, suggesting recent use.
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas,” is widely used in medical and dental settings to manage pain and anxiety. However, when abused, it can lead to serious health risks, including addiction and neurological damage.
The arrest has raised concerns due to Pedlar’s position as both a healthcare provider and educator. He admitted to inhaling the nitrous oxide, a practice known as “huffing.”
The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, where Pedlar teaches, has not released an official statement regarding the matter.
