Police officer arrested after ‘killing two teenagers in high-speed chase’
A police officer has been arrested after crashing into a car and killing two teenagers while chasing a suspect in a high-speed pursuit.
David Cauthron, an officer with the Addis Police Department in Louisiana, was pursuing 24-year-old suspect Tyquel Zanders Saturday morning when he struck an oncoming car that was not involved in the pursuit.
Zanders allegedly stole a car after breaking into a house in the area and stealing its key. According to the booking documents, the vehicle belonged to Zanders’ father.
Intervening officers chased Zanders across a bridge over the Mississippi River, where a police cruiser from the small town of Addis joined the pursuit.
Cauthron drove the cruiser pursuing Zanders south along Louisiana Highway 1.
After running through a red light near the town of Brusly, Cauthron crashed into an oncoming car.
The three occupants of the car have been identified as Caroline Gill, 16, Maggie Dunn, 17, and Liam Dunn, 20.
Caroline and Maggie were pronounced dead at the scene. They were both students at nearby Brusly High School.
Liam was hospitalized and is in critical condition. He is a freshman at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Cauthron was arrested a day later and charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of negligent bodily harm.
Prison records show Cauthron is currently being held at West Baton Rouge Community Detention Center after he was arrested at 9.43pm Sunday night.
“This officer has a lot of questions to answer about his speed and negligence,” said West Baton Rouge District Attorney Tony Clayton. “The public can rest assured that we will follow the facts.”
“The Addis police are deeply saddened by the tragic accident,” the town’s police department said. “We would like to extend our sincere condolences to the Dunn and Gill families.”
Caroline and Maggie were both members of the Brusly High School cheerleading team, and the organization asked community members to share fond memories of students.
“As we mourn the tragic deaths of Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill, please keep their families, friends and the BHS community in your thoughts and prayers,” they wrote. “Her enthusiasm and bright smile will be missed more than can be imagined.”
A candlelight vigil was scheduled for students at Brusly High School at 5:30 p.m. Monday night.
Zanders was eventually arrested on the east side of the Mississippi after his stolen car stalled. He was charged with home invasion, vehicle theft, aggravated escape and double manslaughter for the deaths of Dunn and Gill.
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https://metro.co.uk/2023/01/02/cop-arrested-after-killing-two-teenagers-in-high-speed-chase-18029002/ Police officer arrested after 'killing two teenagers in high-speed chase'