Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: Oct 29, 2009

Phone: (318) 525-5066 Fax: (318) 673-6933

Contact: Sgt. Jim Taliaferro, P.I.O.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Downtown Steeple accident

Patrol officers responded to a weather related incident involving a vehicle and a church steeple.

Upon arrival, shortly after 4 in the afternoon, it was determined the steeple atop the First United Methodist Church, Texas at Common, had become dislodged during strong storm winds and fell on the Lexus trapping the driver Mr. Williams, w/m, 57 yoa, 800 Oneonta, Shreveport. SFD personnel utilized extrication equipment to free Mr. Williams from his vehicle and he transported to LSUHSC with moderate injuries to his extremities.

LADOTD personnel removed the Steeple from the roadway to a parking lot belonging to the church. The driver of the second vehicle, Mr. Tolar, w/m, 100 Albany, Shreveport, stated he was in the left lane next to Mr. Williams' vehicle and observed the steeple come off of the church and land on Mr. Williams' vehicle. Mr. Tolar stated, as the steeple struck Mr. Williams' vehicle it began to move towards his vehicle at which time he placed his vehicle in reverse to escape the impact but received damage to his vehicle from scattering debris. He was not injured.

Preliminary injury report, driver Michael Williams sustained moderate non-life injuries, mostly multiple fractures to his extremities.

-spd-

View all SPD press releases at www.shreveportla.gov