Baton Rouge Police Officer Dies Following Crash
Baton Rouge, LA – Sgt. Caleb Eisworth, a 23-year veteran of the Baton Rouge Police Department, died Sunday from injuries sustained in a June collision.
Emergency responders confirmed that Eisworth was struck by a pickup truck driven by Gad Black while on duty on June 16. Eisworth sustained severe injuries resulting in the amputation of both legs and subsequently succumbed to his injuries after nearly two months in the hospital.
Authorities announced that charges against Black will be upgraded to first-degree murder following Eisworth's death, with the District Attorney's Office planning to seek the death penalty. Black had reportedly followed Eisworth before the incident and has a history of mental health issues; the case will hinge on his mental state.
A motorcade escorted Eisworth's body from Our Lady of the Lake Hospital to the East Baton Rouge Coroner's Office on Sunday afternoon. More than 40 motorcycle officers stood in salute as he arrived. Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse honored Eisworth's legacy, stating, “It's not how these officers died that made them heroes, but how they lived their lives.”
Eisworth's death coincides with the 20th anniversary of the killing of Detective Terry Lee Melancon Jr. He is survived by his wife and daughter. Mayor-President Sid Edwards urged residents to lower flags to half-staff in Eisworth's honor, expressing his condolences and sentiment of profound sadness.
The investigation is ongoing.