Source The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate
A Slidell police officer crashed his motorcycle into an unmarked State Police car while they were escorting Gov. Jeff Landry during a visit to the city Monday for the governor to view damage from last week's tornado, according to the Slidell Police Department.
The crash happened near West Howze Beach Road and Rio Street, the police department said. The officer sustained "moderate injuries" and was transported to a local hospital. No one else was injured.
St. Tammany Parish Council member Arthur Laughlin, who was part of the governor's motorcade when the crash occurred, helped the officer.
"He'll be all right," Laughlin said of the officer. "He has a laceration to his right arm. I was able to use my old paramedic skills and render assistance to him." Laughlin previously worked as an emergency medical technician.
Landry was on the northshore to inspect the damage from last Wednesday's tornado and floods, which damaged more than 500 structures in St. Tammany Parish. Landry toured the area by helicopter before landing at the Slidell Municipal Airport. He met with local elected officials, and addressed members of the press near the site of an apartment building that was badly damaged in the storm on Old Spanish Trail in Slidell.
The collision between the Slidell police officer and the State Police car occurred while Landry was on his way back to the airport to fly back to Baton Rouge.
The Slidell Police Department said that the Louisiana State Police was investigating the crash. The department asks that "everyone pray for the officer and for a speedy recovery."
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