The suspect who led an Addis police officer on a high-speed chase that ended in the crash that killed two Brusly teens on December 31, 2022 has now pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter, negligent injury, aggravated flight from an officer, reckless operation of a vehicle, and aggravated obstruction of a highway.
Sentencing of Tyquel E. Zanders, 28, of 3237 Blackwell Dr., White Castle is set for Nov. 5th at 9 am by District Judge Tonya Lurry in West Baton Rouge Court. Zanders was fleeing East Baton Rouge officers on a high-speed chase when he traveled into West Baton Rouge, where Addis Police Officer David Lee Cauthron joined the pursuit. Zanders went through a red light on La. Hwy. 1 north at East St. Francis Street at more than 100 miles per hour. Cauthron followed at near 100 miles per hour and struck the vehicle of Maggie Dunn, 17; Caroline Gill, 16; and Liam Dunn. Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill were both killed in the crash, and Liam Dunn sustained serious injuries. Officer Cauthron was also injured in the crash.
Cauthron pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and one count of negligent injury. He received a 32-year sentence with 22 years suspended, resulting in 10 years to serve in hard labor followed by three years of probation. He began serving his sentence in May 2024.
“This is the final chapter to a very sad case,” said District Attorney Tony Clayton. “I commend the Gill and Dunn families for their many efforts since these precious girls were killed to put guardrails around these high speed pursuits in hopes that this will not happen to other families. It is my hope that the families find some comfort in knowing that those involved have had to account for their actions.”