Two high school cheerleaders killed in crash with police
Two High School cheerleaders from Baton Rouge, Louisiana have been killed in a car crash involving a police officer who was in a high-speed pursuit of a suspect following a home invasion.
Maggie Dunn, 17, and Caroline Gill, 15, were killed in the crash on Saturday night. They were students and cheerleaders at Brusly High School outside Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Liam Dunn, Maggie’s brother, was also in the vehicle at the time of the crash. He’s in critical condition, according to People.
“He will need surgeries. Has a broken femur, tabula, left wrist, fractured skull, and a few other issues. We are asking for prayers,” their dad Kenny posted on Facebook. “We don’t know why God took our daughter, but I bet she is running shop up there.”
Officer David Cauthron, 42, from Addis, south of the Lousiana capital has been arrested and now faces two counts of negligent homicide and one count of negligent injuring, according to WBRZ. It remains unclear if he has hired an attorney to speak on his behalf.
According to District Attorney Tony Clayton, the officer is on administrative leave. Mr Clayton said Mr Cauthron “has a lot of questions to answer pertaining to his speed and sheer negligence”.
“For these kids to not to have been able to start the New Year is inexcusable, but we’ll follow the facts first,” he told WBRZ. “I just can’t put my arms around why (the officer) was driving at that rate of speed in pursuit of this vehicle. This officer is facing some serious issues.”
“If it involves putting human life in danger, stop the damn pursuit. It’s just not worth the risk,” he added.
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Source: independent.co.uk