Washington: A veteran police officer escorting US President Barack Obama`s motorcade has died after being struck by a vehicle in Florida.
Bruce St Laurent, a 20-year veteran from the Jupiter police department in Florida, including 18 years as a motor officer, died late yesterday following a serious highway accident, police and the White House spokesperson said on Monday.
Laurent was rushed to St Mary`s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, where he died, CNN reported quoting Jupiter police Chief Frank Kitzerow.
The officer was travelling along I-95 through West Palm Beach when a Ford 150 pickup hit his motorcycle, West Palm Beach Sheriff`s Office spokeswoman Therese Barbera said.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said the president`s thoughts and prayers are with the officer`s family.
The crash happened near the front of the president`s motorcade, and Obama himself did not see it unfold, Carney said, adding that no other vehicles from the motorcade was involved.
PTI
