Two cheerleaders, 17 and 16, are killed after cop ran red light at 86mph and struck their car

A police officer has been charged over his role in the death 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 community of Addis, was arrested Sunday evening, WBRZ reported.  

He is charged with two counts of negligent homicide and one count of negligent injuring, District Attorney Tony Clayton told the station.

It wasn’t clear Monday whether Cauthron had a lawyer to speak on his behalf.

Maggie Dunn, 17, and Caroline Gill, 16, were killed after the car they were in was struck by a police car driven by an officer who was chasing a car thief

Officer David Cauthron, 42, slammed into the cheerleaders’ vehicle on 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 critically injured.

The school’s cheerleading team released a statement on Facebook regarding 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 can be imagined.’

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 can be imagined,’ the school wrote on Facebook 

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At the time of the crash, police were pursuing 24-year-old suspect Tyquel Zanders who allegedly broke into a family member’s home and stole their car

At the time, police were pursuing a 24-year-old suspect Tyquel Zanders who allegedly broke into a family member’s home and stole their car. 

The chase started in Baton Rouge when Zanders broke into a home and took the keys, police said.

During the chase through multiple parishes, Louisiana’s version of counties, the 24-year-old ran red lights and reached speeds of 110 mph, according to police documents.

Arrest documents reveal that officers tried to pull Zanders over while 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 teenage girls, who were not involved in the theft, according to The Advocate.

Liam Dunn, Maggie’s brother and a University of Louisiana Lafayette freshman, was also in the vehicle at the time of the crash. He is currently in critical condition.

Maggie Dunn, 17, and Caroline Gill, 16, were killed in the crash

 Dunn’s brother, Liam was injured in the crash

The man drove the stolen car back across the Mississippi River and was apprehended when the vehicle stalled. 

He will be charged with two counts of manslaughter, as well as home invasion, theft of a vehicle and aggravated flight, police said.

On Sunday, Clayton questioned the decision of police 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 pertaining to his speed and sheer negligence. The public can rest assured, we will follow the facts,’ Clayton said.

‘For these kids to not to have been able to start the New Year is inexcusable, but we’ll follow the facts first,’ Clayton went on. ‘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,” Clayton said. “It’s just not worth the risk.” 

In terms of the suspect’s role in the crash, Clayton said : ‘He put the chain of events into play. He’s responsible for all the reactions to his actions. He’s facing two counts, and if that poor kid doesn’t survive, he’ll face another.’ 

Zanders is facing charges of home invasion, auto theft and aggravated flight.

 Officials later added that he is also being charged with two counts of manslaughter.

“He is facing well over 100 years in prison and we plan to fully prosecute him,” Clayton said.