WAFB Channel 9, Baton Rouge, LA |Baton Rouge Police Officer Dies in Accident

Baton Rouge Police Officer Dies in Accident

Baton Rouge police confirm that Cpl. Christopher Metternich, a motorcycle officer, died Monday morning from injuries sustained in a traffic accident.

Police say the accident happened on South Sherwood Forest Boulevard south of Interstate 12.

Sergeant Don Kelly says Cpl. Metternich was struck by a car making a left turn near the intersection of Newcastle and Sherwood. 

"It appears the officer was thrown over the top of the car onto the pavement and was killed," Sgt. Kelly said.  "He was dead at the scene when the first responding officers got there to assist him."

The driver of the car, 63-year-old Betty Morse of Baton Rouge, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.   Kelly said witnesses told investigators both Morse and the officer had a green light, but she did not have a green turn arrow.   He said Morse was not cited, but added the investigation is continuing.

Kelly said Metternich was on his way from investigating another accident.

Metternich, a seven-year veteran of the force, was a second generation officer.  His late father was also a Baton Rouge police officer.

"Chris Metternich died doing what he loved to do," said Baton Rouge Police Chief Jeff LeDuff.  "And he was loved by a lot of people while he was doing it."