Tree falls on deputy’s car

ST. FRANCISVILLE — A West Feliciana Parish sheriff’s deputy was spared serious injury or death when a strong gust of wind blew a tree onto the hood of his patrol car, Sheriff J. Austin Daniel said Thursday.

Cpl. Gerald Smith was checking Sligo Road for trees downed by Hurricane Isaac’s winds Wednesday when a 10-inch tree crashed down inches from the patrol car’s windshield, Daniel said.

Smith was not injured, he said.

Daniel said the car was demolished by the impact.

“It hit the car so hard that the motor wouldn’t turn over,” the sheriff said.

Daniel said no injuries were reported as a result of the storm, and the parish received only 4 to 5 inches of rain.

Several houses were damaged by falling trees, but no one was hurt, he said.