Bradley Colas Freed

6/5/2012 (Updated 6/7/2012 12:35:43 PM)

A Vestal native and Virginia Beach police officer is a free man Tuesday night after prosecutors in Virginia decline to pursue attempted murder charges.

Bradley Colas attacked two firefighters who tried to help him after a March 4th car crash on the eastern shore.

Colas' defense argued his behavior was caused by a reaction to the antibiotic biaxin, which Colas was taking for a respiratory infection.

A small percentage of Biaxin users have claimed they've suffered from hallucinations and suicidal thoughts after taking the drug.

The document withdrawing the charges stated Colas' actions were the result of involuntary intoxication from Biaxin.

Colas said at the time of the attack he had gone nights without sleep and was driving to go see Jesus.

He thought the firefighters were demons trying to stop him.

"My first thoughts go out to the firefighters. I'm just thankful nobody got hurt any worse thann what happened. And I just really appreciate their understanding and graciousness throughout this process," said Bradley Colas.

"He realized that the defense we had was what happened to Brad. This was involuntary intoxication, a reaction to these drugs. They weren't going to prosecute any further. they did the right thing," said Sonny Stallings Defense Attorney.

"I was just out of my mind. Everything when you're on the influence of that drug, everything seems so real," said Colas.

Colas once interned at the Vestal Police Department.

He has been on unpaid leave from the Virginia Beach Police Department since his arrest.

Colas' parents, Craig and Nancy Colas, have released the following statement after their son's release:

"As Bradley's parents, we are thrilled that the Accomack County Commonwealth Attorney has withdrawn all charges filed against our son and that he has been released from jail.  Five medical doctors, including the psychiatrist hired through the court's order by the Commonwealth of Virginia, all agreed with medical certainty that Bradley's behavior was caused by a severe psychosis that took place after taking the drug clarithromycin (brand name Biaxin), on doctor's orders.

It is frightening that someone who is simply taking a prescription antibiotic could suffer such a dangerous adverse reaction.  Even more alarming, although the FDA has documented hundreds of cases since 1997 where people have had psychotic reactions to clarithromycin, Abbott Laboratories has chosen to leave these specific side effects off the drug's package insert.
Finally, we are grateful that the firefighters and our son were not injured more seriously."