MARYVILLE, TN — Two law enforcement vehicles crashed in Tennessee on Friday evening while backing up Vice President J.D. Vance’s motorcade, sending a police officer to the hospital in critical condition, authorities said.
The accident, which occurred in Maryville, about 17 miles (27 kilometers) south of Knoxville, involved a state trooper and a motorcycle officer from the Maryville Police Department, the city said in a statement.
Both were taken to hospital. Officials did not immediately release information about the soldier’s condition.
Katherine Pierce, a U.S. Secret Service resident agent in Knoxville, said the agency is closely monitoring the situation.
“The safety and movement of the people we protect were not affected by this incident,” she said in a statement.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol was investigating.
Maryville Police Chief Tony Crisp asked people to pray for the officer, his family and medical personnel.