Pain physician Michael Cozzi, MD, 54, died August 15 after being pinned between a fence post and a tractor, The Journal Gazette reports.
Authorities said Dr. Cozzi was pouring feed over a fence on his property when a tractor accelerated toward the fence and tipped forward, pinning him.
Dr. Cozzi was in the process of renewing his medical license, which the Indiana Medical Licensing Board had revoked in 2016.
Dr. Cozzi saw up to 120 patients a day at Fort Wayne (Ind.) Interventional Pain Management Clinic and prescribed more controlled substances than any other physician in the state, according to federal court documents.
He was never formally charged with a crime. Dr. Cozzi's attorney, Mark Paul Smith, said the physician saw every patient and turned away 500 patients who showed drug-seeking behavior.
"He helped a lot of people. Many of his patients hit the streets and turned to heroin [after he lost his license]. Many of them need pain meds to work and to survive," Mr. Smith said to The Journal Gazette.