Shortly before 6 p.m. on Saturday, troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop L responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash involving a motorcycle on Louisiana Highway 1082 (Old Military Road), north of Louisiana Highway 21 in St. Tammany Parish. The crash claimed the life of 26-year-old Ricardo Jesus Silva Jr. of Bush, who was an officer with the New Orleans Police Department.

Based on physical evidence and information gathered from the scene of the crash, investigating troopers were able to determine that the crash occurred as Silva was riding a 2017 Honda motorcycle southbound on Highway 1082. A 2017 Acura MDX, driven by 52-year-old Jennifer P. Robinson of Covington, was traveling northbound on Highway 1082. The Acura crossed into the southbound lane in an attempt to turn left into a private drive. Silva’s motorcycle crashed into the right side of Robinson’s Acura. The impact caused Silva to become separated from his vehicle. Despite wearing a DOT-approved helmet, Silva sustained severe injuries in the crash.

Silva was treated at the scene and transported to St. Tammany Parish Hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash. There was no indication of impairment, but as part of the ongoing fatality investigation chemical testing will be conducted by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office.

Robinson was properly restrained at the time of the crash and was uninjured. She showed no signs of impairment and provided troopers with a voluntary breath sample, which showed no amount of alcohol present. The investigation is ongoing, and any criminal or traffic violations will be forwarded to the St. Tammany Parish District Attorney’s Office pending the completion of the investigation.