Another Fatal Louisiana Police Chase Has Some Questioning High-Speed Chases Again

Louisiana State Police are investigating a fatal crash that happened involving a suspect and a Plaquemine Police Department officer according to WAFB.

In the above picture, you can see what happened to the suspect's vehicle as he sped away from the scene driving more than 100 miles per hour. His vehicle flipped several times before finally coming to rest.

The crash happened after the suspect, Jonathan K. Williams ran a red light on Highway 1 near American Way Road as police were chasing him concerning a domestic violence situation that began around 8:15 Saturday night.

Plaquemine Police Chief Stephen Engolio says the police chase started "due to the violent nature of the offense". The chief added that his officers were following all procedures and protocols.

The district attorney for West Baton Rouge, Iberville, and Point Coupee parishes, Tony Clayton, says,

This will be fully and thoroughly investigated by an outside agency. I am deeply concerned. We are a nation of laws. We all have to abide by them. It's all about protecting the safety of our community.

Clayton brought charges against former Addis police officer David Cauthorn who was involved in a high-speed chase with a suspect on New Year's Eve 2022. The officer ran a red light during that chase and crashed into a vehicle carrying three people.

Two young women, 17-year-old Maggie Dunn and 16-year-old Caroline Gill were killed after Officer Cauthorn's cruiser crashed into their car. Dunn's brother Liam was injured.

After reviewing the dashcam video of that incident, Clayton filed three charges against Cauthorn including two counts of negligent homicide and one count of negligent injuring.

Cauthorn pleaded guilty and was given a 32-year sentence with 22 years suspended, so he is currently serving a 10-year sentence.

Whether or not the officer involved in the Saturday night crash will be charged will not be known until the conclusion of Louisiana State Police's investigation is over.

Some people are questioning whether or not high-speed police chases are worth it because deaths have happened.

According to WAFB,

The chief says when traffic got heavier in the Brusly area, the shift sergeant ordered officers to stop the chase. But as they backed off, Williams ran a red light, hit a dodge ram, and then flipped his Tahoe into the median.