Dillon Reidenauer, an 18-year-old LSU freshman pole vaulter, tragically died following a car crash on Wednesday, February 26. Reidenauer was inside a vehicle when a motorcyclist crashed its side, killing both Reidenauer and the motorcyclist.
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According to WBRZ, the motorcyclist's name is Bodhi Linton, a 23-year-old man. Reportedly, Linton was traveling north of Nicholson Drive when Redenauer's vehicle turned left onto South Quad Drive. Linton would then T-bone the car, and both vehicles burst into flames immediately. As a result, both Dillon Reidenauer and Bodhi Linton died at the scene.
Louisiana State University would issue a statement following Reidenauer's tragic death. In it, Dennis Shaver, LSU track and field coach, described her loss as "devastating."
"We are devastated by the tragic passing of Dillon Reidenauer, who was taken from us much too soon," reads the statement. "Everyone in our LSU Track & Field family is keeping Dillon's loved ones in our thoughts and prayers, as well as those of the other individual lost in the incident."
"We will do everything we can to make sure our student-athletes and staff have the resources they need to process the grief of this terrible loss. I would also like to thank Texas A&M for offering their support and compassion as we are on the road at College Station for the SEC Championships."
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Similarly, LSU Athletics also issued a statement shared alongside Shaver's, claiming to be "heartbroken" after learning of Reidenauer's passing.
"LSU Athletics is heartbroken to share the tragic news of the passing of freshman track and field student-athlete Dillon Reidenauer in a traffic incident Wednesday evening in Baton Rouge," the statement reads. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Dillon's family, friends and teammates, as well as with those impacted by the loss of another individual who died as a result of the incident. We are providing resources and support to all of our student-athletes and staff directly impacted by this tragic loss."
LSU Athletics describes Reidenauer as "one of the top prep pole vaulters" in Louisiana, thanks to her accomplishments at Fountainbleau High School. She was pursuing an interior design degree at LSU at the time of her death.
