Police officer taking part in Obama motorcade dies after crash
A police officer participating in President Obama’s motorcade Sunday died from injuries sustained in an accident along I-95 near West Palm Beach, Fla., according to police and White House officials.
The officer, identified as Bruce St. Laurent from Jupiter, Fla., was near the front of the motorcade when his motorcycle collided with a pickup. White House spokesman Jay Carney confirmed that no other vehicles taking part in the motorcade were involved in the crash.
The identity of the truck’s driver has yet to be disclosed.
St. Laurent was taken to nearby St. Mary’s Medical Center on Sunday afternoon, where he later died, Jupiter Police Chief Frank Kitzerow said Sunday night.
St. Laurent, a 20-year veteran, served as a motor officer for 18 years. Kitzerow told reporters that St. Laurent’s family has been notified of his death.
Carney later confirmed that Obama had also been notified of St. Laurent’s passing, in a brief discussion with reporters after Air Force One landed in Washington, D.C.
West Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Therese Barbera told CNN that the department, in conjunction with the Florida Highway Patrol, is tentatively investigating the accident as a vehicular homicide.
“We didn’t lose a co-worker. We lost a friend. He would do anything for anyone,” Sgt. Scott Pascarella, Jupiter police spokesman told the Palm Beach Post.
[For the record, 8:57 a.m. Sept.10: An earlier version of this post referred to the deceased officer as Laurent in some instances. His last name is St. Laurent.]
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