PGR Mission - MC Officer down!!!

At the PGR mission today a cager pulled out infront of a MC LEO pulling blocker/ tailgunner duties in rotation with other MC LEO's. I saw the whole thing. He was prolly doing 80 when she pulled from the shoulder. He glanced off her car and T-Boned the bike of the other officer that was stopping traffic. The 2nd MC LEO was actually off his bike but b/c of the blocked traffic LEO # 1 had no path of escape when she pulled out infront of him. I distinctly don't remember ever seeing a brakelight of LEO # 1. Immediately 2 MC LEO's a Marine Medic (riding support for PGR) and I all ran up to LEO # 1. He was still alive, missing a finger (which was later found in the wreckage of LEO # 2's bike). The area was quickly over run with LEO's. The rushed him to the hospital. I have no further details at this time.

We were part of a rear pack of about 40 riders that were asked to follow the procession b/c of the small cemetary we were heading to. The parking area was needed for the family. We were to line up on the shoulder of the main hwy leading into the cemetary. The lead group were with the hearse and we had gotten broken up from the procession by cagers breaking into the funeral procession. The MC LEO's were trying to get us all back together. The weirdest part of this is that the girl driving the car was actually part of the procession as well. I guess she didnt have her lights and flashers on ...so she had been signaled to the side of the road. A van was infront of her and he initiated his move from the shoulder and the girl in the car had followed his lead. Why they decided to pull off the shoulder infront of us is beyond me.

The rear pack of PGR never made it to the cemetary.

My thought as prayers are with MC LEO #1.

I saw him moving up on me fast in the rearview, I didnt even think to hit my horn. Dont know if the stebel woulda helped but I looked up and froze. I could see all the angles and I knew what was going to happen. I guess we were all blocking his view of the shoulder.

Thanks Muntz,

Thanks for the update on the PGR run and the accident. Our prayers go out to the officer and his family at this time.

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Prayers sent. Sorry to here about the accident.

FROM THE PGR WEBSITE:
Posted By coltergeist on 22 Dec 2007 4:01 PM
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Sincerest thanks to the Gabel family for allowing us to participate in today's service and render honors for Michael as he was laid to rest. It was our privilige to recognize Michael for his dedication and sacrifice in serving our country.

A big thank you to all the riders who braved the weather and gave up their Saturday to stand with us. The family expressed numerous times how proud and honored they felt to have us there for Michael.

On another somber note, one of our LEO escorts, Off. Todd Bourgoyne, a friend and colleague of mine, was seriously injured when he struck a car that changed lanes (from right to left) in order to reportedly go around another vehicle that had entered the procession in error. Off. Bourgoyne struck that car, then the curb, and then a parked motorcycle belonging to another officer who was dismounted directing traffic. His injuries are serious but not life threatening and he will remain hospitalized for some time. Please include Off. Bourgoyne in your prayers in the days and weeks to follow. Off. Bourgoyne has participated in PGR missions in the past while off-duty and supports the PGR wholeheartedly in its mission. Many thanks to those of you who stopped and rendered aid. The front end of the procession only knew that something serious had happened to pull our escorts away from the procession, but we had to continue the mission. We were able to get an update when we arrived at the cemetary.

Thank you again to everyone.
______________________________________________________________________________________

This was my first PGR ride and it was an honor to to be a part of the ceremony of American Hero SSG Michael J. Gabel. I personally witnessed the entire event involving Off. Todd Bourgoyne. As a former EMT & Nursing student, I quickly dismounted and went to render aid to the fallen officer. As other LEO's arrived I moved back as they had already taken control of his airway. I was asked to give a written statement by one of the other LEO's The only thing I might add is I never saw the officer hit a curb. The glancing blow to the car sent the officer directly into the dismounted officers bike which he hit broadside. I can only imagine that he could not see the car pulling from the right turn lane back into the right lane of the highway, b/c of the pack of PGR riders that he was passing to get to the next intersection. The point at which the driver attempted to re-enter the procession was a total error on the drivers behalf, as we were closing on her position at about 50 mph. I'm sure her greiving for SSG Gabel, clouded her judgement.

I'm so sorry to hear all this. My prayers are with all involved.

Thank you for telling us about this tragedy.

shebear

Please keep us informed!

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved!
Jason

Man oh Man, That sounds familiar. I'm sorry to know that their Christmas is going to be altered by this tragic accident.

Here is a text from a TV report on CH 9 in Baton Rouge about the accident. It seems as if the officer is going to be okay.



Officer and Deputy Injured In Crash

Posted: Dec 22, 2007 11:27 PM CST By WAFB CH 9 Baton Rouge, La

Baton Rouge Police Corporal Todd Bourgoyne remains in serious, but stable condition in the hospital. He and an East Baton Rouge Sheriff's deputy were involved in a crash while they were escorting a funeral procession.

This crash occured just after noon Saturday on Airline Highway near Greenwell Springs. Witnesses say the deputy was stopped in the intersection of Maribel Drive to direct traffic when 22-year-old Nicole Brignac pulled her car into the path of Corporal Bourgoyne. His motorcycle hit Brignac's car and slammed into the deputy's motorcycle.

We're told the deputy was standing next to his bike and only had cuts and bruises, but the police officer, Corporal Todd Bourgoyne was thrown off of his motorcycle and his bike slid 60 feet. Witnesses say Bourgoyne lost a finger during the crash. Officers found the severed finger, put it in a bag and rushed it to the hospital. However, sources close to the investigation say doctors were not able to re-attach the finger. Brignac is charged with failure to yield, but says the deputy waved her into the other lane. Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says he's just glad the deputy and officer are still alive.

We are told a soldier, David Brignac, helped perform first aid on Corporal Bourgoyne.

The funeral procession was for Sergeant Michael Gabel. The 30-year-old member of the 173rd Army Airborne Sky Troopers died earlier this month when his convoy was hit by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. He was laid to rest this afternoon at the Port Hudson Cemetery.

On Saturday, 9 News reported that Brignac's car had hit the officer's motorcycle. That is incorrect. We regret the error.

Tanglefoot wrote:Here is a text from a TV report on CH 9 in Baton Rouge about the accident. It seems as if the officer is going to be okay.



Officer and Deputy Injured In Crash

Posted: Dec 22, 2007 11:27 PM CST By WAFB CH 9 Baton Rouge, La

Baton Rouge Police Corporal Todd Bourgoyne remains in serious, but stable condition in the hospital. He and an East Baton Rouge Sheriff's deputy were involved in a crash while they were escorting a funeral procession.

This crash occured just after noon Saturday on Airline Highway near Greenwell Springs. Witnesses say the deputy was stopped in the intersection of Maribel Drive to direct traffic when 22-year-old Nicole Brignac pulled her car into the path of Corporal Bourgoyne. His motorcycle hit Brignac's car and slammed into the deputy's motorcycle.

We're told the deputy was standing next to his bike and only had cuts and bruises, but the police officer, Corporal Todd Bourgoyne was thrown off of his motorcycle and his bike slid 60 feet. Witnesses say Bourgoyne lost a finger during the crash. Officers found the severed finger, put it in a bag and rushed it to the hospital. However, sources close to the investigation say doctors were not able to re-attach the finger. Brignac is charged with failure to yield, but says the deputy waved her into the other lane. Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says he's just glad the deputy and officer are still alive.

We are told a soldier, David Brignac, helped perform first aid on Corporal Bourgoyne.

The funeral procession was for Sergeant Michael Gabel. The 30-year-old member of the 173rd Army Airborne Sky Troopers died earlier this month when his convoy was hit by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. He was laid to rest this afternoon at the Port Hudson Cemetery.

On Saturday, 9 News reported that Brignac's car had hit the officer's motorcycle. That is incorrect. We regret the error.

WOW.... I wrote a letter to channel 9 and included the report by Coltergeist on the PGR board. I'm amazed at the results.

ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

I don't know what your talking about but ....

the difference in her pulling out in front of him or "hitting" him is but a gnats hair of difference. Eaither way she caused him to bounce off the ground.
I have a new found problem with cagers making a rider "bounce" off the ground !! :rendeer:

The original reporter on the newscast said that she pulled out and basicly ran over both of the MC LEO's. She pulled out and he glanced off her into the other bike. Simple things perhaps to you, but this was inaccurate and I thought it needed correction. Although, she did not run down the officers, her actions did cause the accident.

In her statement she said that the officer in control of the intersection had flagged her to come back onto the road. But if this is what she thought he was trying to tell her, I can see why the accident happened. Actually I had wondered if he had signaled her back onto the road. Otherwise I don't see why she would have moved.

Yes I too have a problem with cagers not paying attention. Especially when it comes to a member of law enforcement, who was there for our protection. He is a fellow biker and a PGR rider. And I almost watched him die. This is very disturbing to me.

Muntz wrote: And I almost watched him die. This is very disturbing to me.

That has to be very difficult for you especially concerning the circumstances and the time of year. I know in my accidents, even though I was very lucky and did not have lasting injuries, it was much more difficult for my husband. He is the one who still pictures my bike, without me, nose down, 6 feet in the air. If you need to talk about this just to help get it out of your system, please feel free to contact me. I am a good listener.

shebear wrote:

Muntz wrote: And I almost watched him die. This is very disturbing to me.

That has to be very difficult for you especially concerning the circumstances and the time of year. I know in my accidents, even though I was very lucky and did not have lasting injuries, it was much more difficult for my husband. He is the one who still pictures my bike, without me, nose down, 6 feet in the air. If you need to talk about this just to help get it out of your system, please feel free to contact me. I am a good listener.

Thanks Shebear, the first couple of days I kept seeing it over and over in my mind, but it has gotten better. I havent ridden since but thats mainly due to other circumstances. I look forward to getting back on the bike next week.

You can probably expect to feel a tad paranoid the first few times you ride. I know that I still occasionally get that feeling if circumstances are similar to my crashes. It will go away over time. You will be fine.

shebear wrote:You can probably expect to feel a tad paranoid the first few times you ride. I know that I still occasionally get that feeling if circumstances are similar to my crashes. It will go away over time. You will be fine.

Shebears right....I have been through two wrecks with cages.....you will get over it after some time. It's amazing, we don't think twice when see someone wrecks a cage, but when it's a motorcycle, we kinda dwell on it.

Take care Muntz.


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I think it was the horrific explosion of parts and the body flying that kinda set bad with me. Looked like one of those bad crashes at the dragstrip where nothings left. (even though it was)

When you start to do the visual memory thing about the accident, make yourself look at it as if it is a show on a television screen. Also add the audio to the tv image and see yourself turn down the volume. This will help you start being able to "box up" the memory and put it away. It sounds kind of silly, but it really does help. And yes, that is a professional opinion.