Surgeon Arrested After Fatal Surgical Error in Florida
A Florida surgeon, Dr. Thomas Schakunowski, faces serious allegations following the tragic death of a patient during surgery. Accused of mistakenly removing a liver instead of a spleen, Schakunowski’s arrest unfolded dramatically as he was loading a passenger into a lift. This event, captured on video, reveals the intense moments leading up to his apprehension.
Body camera footage obtained by NBC News shows Walton County Sheriff’s deputies approaching Schakunowski’s Mitsubishi SUV on April 13, weapons drawn. The video depicts him appearing confused as officers extracted him from his vehicle and placed him in handcuffs at a busy intersection in Miramar Beach, Florida. Amid the commotion, he informed deputies about a passenger in the back seat.
As he was being placed in a patrol car, Shakunowski inquired, “May I ask what this is about?” His confusion escalated when deputies opened the rear door, revealing two women on vacation who had been picked up by the surgeon. One passenger expressed her fear, stating she was terrified she would be robbed as police converged on the car with guns drawn.
Schakunowski holds a commendable record as a rideshare driver, achieving a five-star rating on over 3,000 rides prior to his arrest. A screenshot of his Lyft profile, where he used his middle name, Jacob, was shared by an attorney representing one of the shaken passengers. In response to the incident, a Lyft spokesperson confirmed that they had removed him from the platform and were cooperating with law enforcement.
Shakunowski’s arrest follows his charge of second-degree manslaughter, which occurred a week before he was detained. According to Walton County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Corey Dobridnia, Schakunowski was aware of the felony warrant for his arrest yet still chose to transport passengers. Dobridnia stated, “A felony warrant necessitates a drawn gun and all of that.”
This troubling saga traces back over a year and a half to August 21, 2024, when 70-year-old William Bryan died during a laparoscopic procedure. Prosecutors allege that Schakunowski’s mistake in surgical procedure led to catastrophic blood loss and Bryan’s subsequent death. His medical license was suspended shortly thereafter.
In addition to the manslaughter charge, Schakunowski faces lawsuits related to medical negligence. He is being sued by Bryan’s widow and another case is ongoing concerning the death of 70-year-old Dorothy Dorsett who died in August 2023 shortly after Schakunowski operated on her. The lawsuits remain unresolved.
Once licensed to practice medicine in several states, Schakunowski had his medical licenses revoked following Bryan’s death. He is currently set to be arraigned on May 19, facing potential sentencing of up to 15 years in prison if convicted of second-degree manslaughter.
