An Addis police officer faces two counts of negligent homicide after his vehicle struck a car with three passengers in Brusly and killed two teenage girls while he was participating in a high-speed chase Saturday. 18th Judicial District Attorney Tony Clayton said once the evidence comes out the public will be enraged over Officer David Cauthron’s actions.
“I’m a strong supporter of police officers, but sometimes there are bad decisions that are made, this was a horrible decision,” said Clayton.
Addis Police Officer David Cauthron was arrested on January 1, 2023, for his role in the deaths of two Brusly teens.
17-year-old Maggie Dunn and 15-year-old Caroline Gill were killed, and Maggie’s brother Liam Dunn was also injured in the crash.
Authorities were pursuing 24-year-old Tyquel Zanders who allegedly stole a family member’s vehicle and led them on a chase in both East and West Baton Rouge parishes, that reached speeds of 110 miles per hour. Clayton expects there will be legislation to better define when officers can and cannot pursue a suspect at high rates of speed.
“That makes it clear that officers should not pursue crimes that are not of a violent nature,” said Clayton.
Zanders also faces charges in the deaths of the two teens.
Clayton said he believes the two charges of negligent homicide and one charge of negligent injuring are warranted against Cauthron.
“Mind you I didn’t make the determination to make the arrest, the officers did but when they showed me the last piece of evidence, I was thoroughly convinced that hey probable cause, more than that exists to place this officer under arrest,” said Clayton.
Grief and crisis counselors will be at Brusly High School to assist students with the loss of their classmates.
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