- 18-year-old LSU pole vault recruit Dillon Reidenauer killed in campus collision
- Accident involved southbound Honda Accord and northbound BMW motorcycle
- Victims included rising athlete and 23-year-old motorcyclist Bohdi Linton
- Incident occurred days before SEC Championships in Texas
The Louisiana State University community mourns the loss of promising freshman pole vaulter Dillon Reidenauer, who died Wednesday night in a two-vehicle collision on campus. Police reports indicate the tragedy occurred when Reidenauer attempted a left turn onto South Quad Drive from Nicholson Drive, intersecting with a northbound motorcycle traveling at undetermined speed. Both vehicles sustained catastrophic damage in the impact, resulting in immediate fatalities.
Reidenauer had emerged as one of Louisiana's top high school vaulters before joining LSU's elite program. The interior design major achieved second place at 2024's 5A State Championships, clearing personal bests that positioned her for future collegiate competition. Her untimely death comes as LSU's pole vault squad prepares to defend its SEC dominance, having produced Olympic gold medalist Mondo Duplantis and current NCAA contender Johanna Duplantis.
University officials confirm counseling services have been deployed for athletes and staff, particularly those traveling to the SEC Championships in College Station. Texas A&M athletic directors offered memorial gestures ahead of the meet, including moment-of-silence plans. LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward emphasized student safety initiatives in a Thursday press briefing: We're reevaluating all campus crosswalks and implementing new driver education modules for first-year students.
Industry analysts note this incident highlights three critical issues in collegiate sports: 1) Nearly 60% of student-athlete fatalities occur outside training environments according to NCAA data 2) Southern campuses average 22% higher nighttime collision rates than national averages 3) Less than 15% of universities mandate defensive driving courses for freshmen. A 2023 case study from Tulane University revealed that installing smart traffic lights reduced pedestrian accidents by 34% in New Orleans campus zones.
Regional transportation records show Baton Rouge witnessed 18 fatal crashes involving drivers under 20 since 2022. State legislators recently proposed House Bill 114, requiring graduated licensing programs for Louisiana teens. If passed, the law would delay full driving privileges until age 18 for non-emergency nighttime travel—a policy already active in 31 states.
Coach Dennis Shaver memorialized Reidenauer as a beacon of perseveranceduring Thursday's memorial service at LSU's Carl Maddox Field House. Teammates released biodegradable lanterns at the campus lakes where she often trained. University officials confirm plans to establish a scholarship in Reidenauer's name, prioritizing Louisiana-born track athletes pursuing design degrees.