WASHINGTON PARISH, La. — A Washington Parish Sergeant John O'Hern vowed to reduce drunk driving across the parish when he was sworn in. In a sad twist of fate, he was responding to a call about a drunk driver, when that suspect slammed into his cruiser head-on.
Washington Parish Sgt. John O'Hern is currently deputy of the year. Candice Sledge with WPSO said, "I wish we had more out there like Sgt. O'Hern."
She went on to say, "When he took the oath of office one of his priorities was to combat drunk driving, that was something he was very passionate about, keeping them off the road and keeping Washington Parish safe."
A hard-working deputy and a devoted father, she said, "He's just outstanding, wonderful father, wonderful husband."
Minutes after 11 p.m. on Thursday, he wanted to stop an alleged drunk driver. "He said I am glad it was me and not someone else, I wanted to get to him before he killed someone on the road."
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According to the sheriff's office, the drunk driver crossed the center lane and slammed into O'Hern while on a Louisiana Highway 25 bridge – a few miles south of Franklinton. Sledge says the impaired driver, 42-year-old Corey Pellerin, was allegedly driving 68 mph in a 55-zone.
"Sgt. O'Hern received stitches across his nose," explained Sledge. "He wears eyeglasses...he had facial bruising, he had bloody knuckles, busted knees. The main issue we are struggling with right now is a crushed pelvis and a dislocated femur."
She says the impaired driver suffered very similar injuries, plus a fractured skull. Sgt. O'Hern underwent surgery Friday morning and doctors plan to do reconstructive pelvic surgery next week.
According to Louisiana State Police, Pellerin faces several charges including driving while intoxicated (DWI) and first-degree vehicular negligent injuring.
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