An Ohio man says he was stunned to learn of allegations that his wife’s hospital death last year was caused by a doctor’s order for a fatal dose of pain medication.

David Austin, of Columbus, says he called the ambulance after his wife, Bonnie Austin, complained of trouble breathing in September.

A lawsuit alleges the 64-year-old woman was killed negligently or intentionally when she was given the painkiller fentanyl and a powerful sedative ordered by a doctor who said she was brain-dead.

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday against Dr. William Husel (HYOO’-suhl), Mount Carmel Health System, a pharmacist and a nurse.

Austin said Wednesday he felt “like somebody kicked me in the chest” when he learned of the allegations months after his wife’s death.