Two Slidell men seriously injured when truck hits trees

By Erik Sanzenbach
St. Tammany News
Published on Sunday, September 20, 2009 12:25 AM CDT

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Two men from Slidell are in a New Orleans hospital with life-threatening injuries following an early morning accident Friday on Old Spanish Trail.

According to the Slidell Police Department, a green 2003 Dodge Ram pickup truck, driven by Blake Campbell, 21, of Slidell was traveling at a high rate of speed going east on Old Spanish Trail.

As it came to a curve in the road in the 1400 block of Old Spanish Trail, the truck left the road for an unknown reason and first hit a small tree, then a bigger tree.

Police spokesman Capt. Kevin Foltz said the truck hit the second tree with such force that the right front tire ended up under the passenger seat. Michael Metzer, 21, also of Slidell was in the passenger seat. After hitting the second tree, the truck went airborne and landed in the westbound lane.

When police arrived, they found Metzer and Campbell trapped in the wreckage. Firefighters from Fire District One had to use the “jaws of life” tool to get the two men out of the truck.

The men were first taken to Slidell Memorial Hospital where their conditions were stabilized and then they were both taken to Charity Hospital in New Orleans. Foltz said both men are in serious condition and have life-threatening injuries.

Foltz said investigators believe alcohol and speed were factors in the accident. Police have taken blood samples from Campbell to determine if he was drunk. Foltz said that Metzer was wearing his seatbelt, and it is unknown if Campbell was wearing his.

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Comments

1 comment(s)

CD wrote on Sep 20, 2009 10:08 AM:

" I cam upon this scene at 530am on the way to work and was wondering what happened. Old Spanish Trail was shut down in the westbound direction.

Hope the victims are ok, but if alcohol was involved, I don't feel sorry for them. "

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