Acadian EMT killed in foggy crash near Slidell, State Police say

SLIDELL, La. (WVUE) – An Acadian Ambulance EMT from Mississippi died early Sunday (Jan. 1) in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 close to Slidell, Louisiana State Police stated.

The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) — recognized as 36-year-old John Mitchell Crow of Pascagoula — was sporting a seat belt, however nonetheless sustained deadly accidents when the 2021 Chevrolet ambulance he was driving crashed into the again of a 2020 Volvo Straight Field Truck round 12:40 a.m., the LSP stated. The wreck occurred in dense fog on the westbound aspect of I-10 close to Louisiana Hwy. 1090 in St. Tammany Parish.

Two different individuals contained in the ambulance — a paramedic and a affected person — sustained minor accidents within the crash and had been taken for hospital therapy, Acadian Ambulance Service stated in an announcement. The driving force of the Volvo truck was not injured.

LSP spokesman Trooper Williams Huggins stated impairment just isn’t suspected to be an element within the crash, though routine toxicology samples had been collected from each drivers for evaluation.

Crow joined Acadian as an EMT in July 2019, the corporate stated.

“We’re heartbroken at this loss,” Acadian Ambulance president Justin Again stated. “It’s a large tragedy after we lose a crew member within the efficiency of their duties or in any other case. Our staff is devoted to defending and saving lives.

“This hits us all very laborious. Our heartfelt prayers exit to John’s household and to our paramedic and our affected person.”

The dense fog that socked within the space on New 12 months’s Eve and early New 12 months’s Day was cited as an element being investigated to find out the reason for the accident.

Huggins stated that 16 automobiles had been concerned in 5 separate crashes on each side of I-10 close to Slidell late Saturday and early Sunday. It was unclear whether or not the Acadian ambulance Crow was driving was transporting a affected person from an earlier crash.

Acadian stated it has deployed its Important Incident Stress Administration staff to offer assist to fellow staff members and Crow’s household.

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