BOISE, Idaho — 7 Investigates obtained records from the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) - showing that death row inmate Thomas Creech was transported to a hospital at least twice over the past year and a half.
Creech was set to be executed last month using lethal injection drugs, but IDOC medical staff couldn't get an IV line in. They tried eight times over the course of about an hour to access a viable vein to inject the pentobarbital, the chemical used in lethal injections. Following that failed execution, 7 Investigates' Morgan Romero filed a public records request - looking for more information about the condition of Creech's veins.
Romero also asked IDOC for transportation records to a Boise hospital and a vascular center.
IDOC denied most of that request, stating his medical transport records are exempt from disclosure because they're in his medical files. They cited HIPAA exemptions and other exemptions under Idaho Code justifying why they could not release medical and treatment information.
However, they provided a few redacted documents, including some transport records, a shift commander's report from last year, and an incident report from 2022.
The 2022 report says Creech suddenly collapsed in the day room of his tier at the Idaho Maximum Security Prison, and he had to be transported to Saint Al's Regional Medical Center.
Reports from October of last year show prison staff took him on an "emergency run", after he fell while trying to take pills.
He was also taken to two appointments at Saint Al's in January 2023, and one at St Luke's in September 2022, but we don't know what those appointments were for.
Romero reached out to the Ada County Prosecutor's Office last week to find out if they're planning on filing a new death warrant for Creech. They said they have no comment right now.
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