Louisiana Police Officer Killed by Drunk Driver
Source Officer.com News
A Sterlington, Louisiana police officer was struck and killed by a drunk driver early Sunday morning.
Officer David Elahi was standing at the rear of his cruiser while conducting a traffic stop on the southbound shoulder of US Hwy 165 shortly before 5 a.m. when he was struck by a 2014 GMC Sierra, according to a Louisiana State Police news release.
Two other officers on the scene were also struck by the vehicle driven by 44-year-old Tracy Govan, who officials said was impaired at the time of the crash.
Elahi was pronounced dead at the scene, while the two other officers were taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Govan was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide, vehicular negligent injury, improper lane usage and failure to move over for an emergency vehicle on the shoulder.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Elahi's family and the Sterlington Police Department during this time of grief," Louisiana State Police Superintendent Colonel Mike Edmonson said in a statement. "This is a tragedy that could have been avoided."
Elahi had served with the Sterlington Police Department for five years.
He is survived by his child and fiancee.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Paul Peluso | Editor
Paul Peluso is the Managing Editor of OFFICER Magazine and has been with the Officer Media Group since 2006. He began as an Associate Editor, writing and editing content for Officer.com. Previously, Paul worked as a reporter for several newspapers in the suburbs of Baltimore, MD.
