PRESS RELEASE — At approximately 12:45p.m., the Texas Department of Public Safety received a report of a two vehicle crash at the intersection of Highway 365 and 9^th Avenue in Port Arthur, Texas.  The crash involved an off-duty police officer and a passenger vehicle.

A funeral procession was traveling southbound on Highway 365 approaching 9^th Avenue in Port Arthur.  There were two motorcycles driven by police officers escorting the funeral procession.  The first motorcycle activated the emergency lights and pulled into the intersection to stop traffic for the funeral procession.  With traffic stopped, the second motorcycle, with emergency lights activated, entered the intersection and was struck by a Honda Civic that failed to yield the right by pulling out into the intersection from 9^th Avenue.  As the car struck the motorcycle, the officer was ejected from his motorcycle and rolled over the hood of the car.

The driver of the Honda civic, an 85-year-old female from Nederland, was transported by ambulance to St. Elizabeth hospital.  Her condition is unknown.

The officer was transported by ambulance to St. Elizabeth hospital with possible back injuries.

The driver of the Honda, 85-year-old Salma Mehio of Nederland, was transported by ambulance to St. Elizabeth hospital.  At this time, she is alert and will be at the hospital for the next couple of hours for observation only.

The Rose City Deputy Marshal, Douglas Klinkhammer, was transported by ambulance to St. Elizabeth hospital.  He is alert and undergoing several examinations to determine the extent of his injuries.