By Tanasia Kenney
The Charlotte Observer
ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. — A beloved EMT was killed in a crash when the ambulance he was driving struck a box truck in foggy conditions on Interstate 10, according to Louisiana State Police.
John Mitchell Crow, 36, of Pascagoula, Mississippi, was driving a 2021 Chevy ambulance on Sunday, Jan. 1, when he crashed shortly before 1 a.m., police said. The wreck happened on I-10 near state Highway 1090 in St. Tammany Parish.
Both vehicles were heading west when, “for unknown reasons,” the ambulance slammed into the back of the 2020 Volvo truck that was in front of it, state troopers said. Authorities added that there was “very dense fog” in the region at the time of the crash.
Crow, an emergency medical technician with Acadian Ambulance Service, suffered fatal injuries despite being buckled in, according to authorities. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“We are heartbroken at this loss,” Acadian Ambulance President Justin Back wrote on Facebook. “It is a tremendous tragedy when we lose a crew member in the performance of their duties or otherwise. Our team is dedicated to protecting and saving lives. This hits us all very hard.”
A fellow paramedic and a patient they were transporting were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, officials said. The driver of the box truck was not hurt.
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Friends are now mourning Crow, who they said loved to serve others through his work.
“He was always helping other people,” Seth Sutton, who coaches the New Orleans softball team Crow played on, told WWL-TV. “If someone got hurt on the field, he was the first one to run over.”
Tributes for the beloved EMT also flooded social media.
The NOLA Softball League remembered him as “a loyal friend and teammate,” adding that the outfielder always showed up despite his demanding work hours — but not without an energy drink in hand.
“John joined NSL with a competitive edge and a sweet, kind heart, and we are so blessed to have gotten to know his authentic self and all the love he shared with us,” the league wrote. “We are a family! John, you will surely be missed.”
Impairment isn’t suspected in the crash, but police said they’re still investigating.
Slidell is about 30 miles northeast of New Orleans.
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