>
A police officer has been charged for his role in the deaths of two teenagers during the high-speed pursuit of a home invasion suspect in Louisiana.
Officer David Cauthron, who works for the police in the Addis community, was arrested on Sunday night. WBRZ informed.
He is charged with two counts of negligent homicide and one count of negligent injury, District Attorney Tony Clayton told the station.
It was not clear Monday if Cauthron had an attorney to speak on his behalf.
Maggie Dunn, 17, and Caroline Gill, 16, died after the car they were traveling in was struck by a police car driven by an officer pursuing a carjacker.
Officer David Cauthron, 42, crashed into the cheerleaders’ vehicle Saturday morning.
Maggie Dunn, 17, and Caroline Gill, 16, were killed when their car was struck by a police cruiser Saturday morning on a state highway. A third person in the car was seriously injured.
The school’s cheerleading squad released a statement on Facebook about the girls’ passing.
‘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. Their enthusiasm and bright smiles will be missed more than you can imagine.’
Several people close to Maggie and Caroline posted tributes to the school’s Facebook page recounting their fond memories of the girls.
‘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. Their enthusiasm and bright smiles will be missed more than you can imagine,” the school wrote on Facebook.
At the time, police were pursuing a 24-year-old suspect, Tyquel Zanders, who allegedly broke into a relative’s home and stole their car.
At the time, police were pursuing a 24-year-old suspect, Tyquel Zanders, who allegedly broke into a relative’s home and stole their car.
The chase began in Baton Rouge when Zanders broke into a home and took the keys, police said.
During the chase through several parishes, the Louisiana counties version, the 24-year-old ran red lights and hit speeds of 110 mph, according to police documents.
Arrest documents reveal that officers attempted to detain Zanders while he was in Baton Rouge.
When Zanders refused to stop, the chase began.
As police chased the man through the town of Brusly, an Addis police vehicle crashed into another vehicle, killing the two teenagers, who were not involved in the robbery, according to Lawyer.
Liam Dunn, Maggie’s brother and a freshman at the University of Louisiana Lafayette, was also in the vehicle at the time of the accident. He is currently in critical condition.
The man drove the stolen car back across the Mississippi River and was pulled over when the vehicle came to a stop.
He will be charged with two counts of manslaughter, as well as burglary, burglary and aggravated flight, police said.
On Sunday, Clayton questioned the police’s decision to pursue the driver at high speeds and agreed with the decision to arrest the officer.
‘That cop has a lot of questions to answer related to his speed and sheer negligence. The public can be sure that we will follow the facts,” Clayton said.
“That these children have not been able to start the New Year is inexcusable, but we will follow the facts first,” Clayton continued. ‘I simply cannot understand why the officer was driving at that speed in pursuit of this vehicle. This officer is facing some serious problems.
“If it’s about endangering human life, stop the damn persecution,” Clayton said. “It’s just not worth the risk.”
As for the suspect’s role in the crash, Clayton said: “He brought the chain of events into play.” He is responsible for all reactions to his actions. He faces two charges, and if that poor boy doesn’t survive, he’ll face another.
Zanders faces charges of burglary, auto theft and aggravated escape.
Authorities later added that he is also being charged with two counts of manslaughter.
“He faces more than 100 years in prison and we plan to fully prosecute him,” Clayton said.