Nurse’s license revoked in overdose, rape case

The state Department of Health has revoked the nursing license of Longview resident Ivan Pedersen, who was accused of sexually assaulting another nurse in Vancouver in December 2012 while she was unconscious from a drug overdose.

The woman then died of the overdose.

The criminal charge of second-degree rape against Pedersen was dismissed April 18 by Clark County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Camara Banfield because more investigation was needed to prosecute the case.

The health department and Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission first suspended Pedersen’s license in spring 2013 based on those allegations. A hearing on whether to revoke his license was held March 7 and the decision was released Tuesday.

Pedersen was allegedly intoxicated when the incident happened either late Dec. 26 or early Dec. 27 at the 29-year-old victim’s home in Vancouver near Pearson Field.

The documents indicate Pedersen told police that he had consumed alcohol and cocaine with the victim at her residence. After she passed out or fell asleep on her bed, he allegedly raped her, the documents state. She didn’t wake up during the alleged rape, but Pedersen claimed she physically responded, according to the documents.

Under state law, sex with an unconscious person is considered rape because he or she is unable to give consent.

The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the woman died accidentally from cocaine and alcohol intoxication. Her blood alcohol level was about 0.10 percent, according to court documents.

At the time, Pedersen was a registered nurse at PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview.