Two high school cheerleaders were killed after a Louisiana police officer collided with an unconnected vehicle during a high-speed chase on New Year’s Eve, resulting in criminal charges.
According to WBRZ, Addis police officer David Cauthron, 42, was charged on Sunday with two charges of negligent murder in the deaths of Maggie Dunn, 17, and Caroline Gill, 16.
The accident reportedly left Liam Dunn, a freshman at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, in critical condition.
Tony Clayton, district attorney for the Eighteenth Judicial District, reprimanded the officer who has been with the police department for less than a year. He formerly worked for a state sheriff’s office.
According to WBRZ, Clayton stated on Sunday, “That officer has a lot of questions to answer with his speed and recklessness.” The public can be confident that we will adhere to the facts.
Maggie Dunn, left, and Caroline Gill, right, were killed on New Year’s Eve when officer David Cauthron struck their vehicle.
According to sources, Cauthron’s vehicle was traveling approximately 86 miles per hour during the pursuit of suspect Tyquel Zanders, who is accused of stealing a relative’s automobile. According to several sources, the police officer did not slam on the brakes prior to colliding with the girls’ vehicle.
According to the TV channel, witnesses stated that Cauthron ran a red light as his police cruiser approached the junction and collided with the victim’s vehicle about midday.
The chase began when Zanders, 24, entered an unwelcome home and shoved his father to the ground before stealing the keys to a Nissan, according to Clayton and jail documents cited by The Advocate.
Zanders, who was later apprehended when his car broke down, is anticipated to face manslaughter charges in the deaths of the two girls, according to the West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, as reported by the local newspaper.
Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill were killed when Officer Cauthron collided with them during his pursuit of Tyquel Zanders.
Wikipedia / WBRZ
“He initiated the sequence of events,” Clayton, the prosecutor, told The Advocate. “He is accountable for any responses to his acts. If the poor child does not survive, he will face a third charge.”
The newspaper reports that the West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office was also involved in the arrest of the police officer.
In a Facebook post published on Sunday, the Brusly High School cheerleading squad honored the two deceased students.
The cheerleading team wrote, “As we grieve the awful losses of Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill, please keep their families, friends, and the BHS community in your thoughts and prayers.” Their passion and cheerful smiles will be missed beyond comprehension.
Dunn and Gill were in the car with Liam Dunn, a freshman at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Maggie’s brother. The crash reportedly left him with serious injuries.
According to the high school, Dunn was a junior while Gill was a sophomore.
High school principal Walt Lemoine stated, “We are grieved by the loss to our school community and will make every attempt to assist you and your child as needed.”
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