PORT ALLEN — A White Castle man who led law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit ending in a fatal crash on New Year's Eve 2022 has been sentenced to 35 years in prison. 

District Judge Tonya Lurry handed down the sentence to Tyquel Zanders, 28, in a West Baton Rouge court on Thursday following his September guilty plea. Zanders 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. 

Zanders received 35 years for each manslaughter count, 15 years for highway obstruction, and 10 years for flight; all will be served concurrently.

The fatal crash occurred on Dec. 31, 2022, when Zanders fled from Baton Rouge police officers, leading them down La. 1 and crossing over into West Baton Rouge Parish. Former Addis Police officer David Cauthron joined the pursuit as Zanders drove through a red light on East St. Francis Street at over 100 miles per hour.

Cauthron, travelling at around 100 miles per hour, struck a vehicle carrying 17-year-old Maggie Dunn, 16-year-old Caroline Gill and Liam Dunn. Both teenage girls were killed in the collision and Liam Dunn suffered severe injuries.

Cauthron pleaded guilty to the teens' deaths and was sentenced to 32 years behind bars, with 22 years suspended, in May 2024.

“This is such a sad case,” District Attorney Tony Clayton said following the sentencing. “While those who caused that horrible crash have had to account for their actions, these families continue to carry a heavy burden from the bad decisions that led to the loss of two beautiful teens. But I commend the Gill and Dunn families, who have been relentless since the wreck in working to put guardrails around these high-speed pursuits in hopes that this will not happen to other families.”