Toledo Mayor D. Michael Collins remains heavily sedated and in critical condition at the University of Toledo Medical Center, the former Medical College of Ohio, following his hospitalization for cardiac arrest, a city official said tonight.

Stacy Weber, spokesman for Mayor Collins, attributed her update to Dr. Christopher Cooper, cardiologist and Senior Vice President for Clinical Affairs at UTMC and Mr. Collins’s physician.

Dr. Cooper said Mr. Collins remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit following a cardiac arrest this afternoon.

"At this time he is being heavily sedated and closely monitored,” Dr. Cooper said.

"At this point it is too early yet to establish the timing or likelihood of his recovery," Dr. Cooper said.

She said an additional update on Mayor Collins's condition will be made 10 a.m. Monday.

City Council President Paula Hicks-Hudson was sworn in today at 5:23 p.m. as acting mayor, due to the temporary incapacity of the Mayor. D. Michael Collins, who suffered a heart attack in a car crash earlier today.

University of Toledo Medical Center cardiologist Dr. Christopher Cooper said only limited information is available about Mr. Collins, other than that he suffered a cardiac arrest today and that he was in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

Dr. Cooper said, promising to keep the media updated through the city of Toledo.

Dr. Cooper, a senior vice president for clinical affairs, said the mayor arrived at the emergency room at 2:22 p.m. after having suffered a cardiac arrest.

Dr. Cooper extended appreciation to an unnamed citizen, who was later identified as Evelyn Johnson, 42 of Toledo, who initiated care for the mayor and to the "heroic efforts" of Toledo firefighters and police.

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Chief of Staff Robert Reinbolt also thanked the citizen and urged other citizens to keep Mayor Collins in their prayers.

“It is anticipated that this treatment may take several days,” Mr. Reinbolt said. He announced that Ms. Hicks-Hudson would become acting mayor immediately.

Moments later, she was sworn in by law director Adam Loukx.

Ms. Hicks-Hudson, 63, of Robinwood Avenue, was elected to her current term in November, 2011. She became council president in October, 2012.

The 70-year-old mayor’s vehicle crashed into a utility pole on Hill Avenue and a window had to be broken to be able to remove him from the vehicle, where he was found unconscious and the unnamed citizen performed CPR.

First Published February 1, 2015, 7:48 p.m.