BRUSLY – The Brusly community is mourning the deaths of two local high school students who were killed in Saturday’s high-speed police chase.
The victims, 17-year-old Maggie Dunn and 16-year-old Caroline Gill, were both cheerleaders at Brusly High. The school’s cheerleading team released a statement on Facebook about their tragic deaths:
“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. The enthusiasm and bright smiles theirs will be missed more than can be imagined.”
Several people close to Maggie and Caroline posted a tribute on the school’s Facebook page where they recounted their fond memories of the girls. A candlelight vigil is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday at Brusly High.
The teenage girls were killed Saturday after an Addis police officer ran a red light to pursue a suspect, leading several law enforcement agents on a chase through both East Baton Rouge and West Baton Rouge.
The police unit crashed into the victims’ vehicle and pushed it into the median, say witnesses.
Also in the vehicle was Liam Dunn, Maggie’s brother and a freshman at the University of Louisiana Lafayette, at the time of the crash. He was last said to be in critical condition.
Sunday, 18. Judicial District Attorney Tony Clayton told WBRZ, “That cop has a lot of questions to answer about his speed and gross negligence. The public can rest assured, we will we follow the facts.”
Clayton told The Advocate that his office is investigating the unidentified officer, and expects the case to go before a grand jury.
“For these kids not being able to start the New Year is inexcusable, but we’re going to follow the facts first,” Clayton told the news outlet. “I just can’t put my arm around why (the officer) was driving at that rate of speed in pursuit of this vehicle. This officer is facing some serious issues.”
Regarding the officer’s role in the crash, Clayton said the following, according to a report by The Advocate: “He set the chain of events in motion. He is responsible for all the reactions to his actions. He is facing two charges, and if that poor boy does not live, he will face another.”
