Slidell city employee hit by side mirror of vehicle during police chase

SLIDELL, Louisiana – Slidell police said a city employee was struck by a car during a police chase Tuesday morning.

The chase occurred around 10:30 a.m. when a Slidell police officer was driving on Fremaux Avenue when a vehicle driven by 21-year-old Matao Palmer of Slidell passed him at over 70 miles per hour.

After Palmer passed, the officer turned on the hazard lights and siren and the pursuit began.

According to Slidell police, Palmer was driving in the opposite direction on Second Street through Umbrella Alley and struck a Slidell city employee who was working nearby.

The city employee was struck by the vehicle’s side mirror. He suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Palmer and an unidentified passenger were arrested when the chase ended near Cousin Street.

Palmer was accused of the following:

• Reckless driving of a motor vehicle
• Serious obstruction of a trade route
• Serious escape from an officer
• Negligent assault
• Possession of marijuana
• Possession of hydrocodone

Click here to report a typo.

► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered straight to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now on the iOS App Store or Google Play.