CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A motorcycle officer with the Huntersville Police Department is recovering after colliding with another vehicle during a motorcade procession for the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump.
Melania Trump was in Huntersville, North Carolina, for a campaign event for President Donald Trump Monday afternoon. The collision happened around 3:25 p.m. during the procession on Woodlawn Avenue near South Tryon Street in Charlotte.
During the escort, CMPD said HPD Officer Lawing, who was operating a marked HPD motorcycle, made a U-turn on West Woodlawn Road near I-77 in an attempt to return to the motorcade route he had recently left. After making the U-turn, roadway conditions required Officer Lawing to travel a short distance in the oncoming lanes of travel of West Woodlawn Road while having his emergency equipment activated.
Officials report that shortly before rejoining the motorcade, the driver of a 2012 Honda Accord made a left turn from West Woodlawn Road onto the on-ramp for Interstate 77 South and was struck in the driver’s side by the HPD motorcycle.
Officer Lawing sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the crash and was taken to the hospital by MEDIC. The driver of the Honda was uninjured.
"Throughout this incident, there was no threat to the First Lady or any other personnel in the motorcade," Huntersville Police said in a tweet.
CMPD’s Major Crash Unit will be conducting the investigation.
The Huntersville Fire Department and Huntersville Police Department both tweeted out condolences, sending "prayers of healing" for the motor officer injured. His name has not been released at this time.
It's not known if the other driver involved is facing any charges or has any injuries related to the incident.