LSU Pole Vaulter Dillon Reidenauer, 18, Dies in Car Accident on Campus

Louisiana State University pole vaulter Dillon Reidenauer has died after a fiery wreck on the school’s Baton Rouge campus. She was 18 years old. 

Reidenauer was reportedly driving a vehicle that was T-boned by a motorcycle on Wednesday, February 26, causing both vehicles to burst into flames.

According to the Baton Rouge Police Department, LSU Police attempted to put out the fire before firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze. The other victim in the incident was identified as 23-year-old Bodhi Linton. Both individuals died at the scene. 

Sources told WBRZ-TV, an ABC affiliate, that both drivers likely died or at least became unconscious immediately after the crash. WBRZ also reported that Linton’s mother, Juanita, died in a motorcycle accident in May 2024. 

“We are devastated by the tragic passing of Dillon Reidenauer, who was taken from us much too soon,” LSU track and field coach, Dennis Shaver, said in a 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.”

Shaver added, “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.”

At the SEC Championships in College Station, Texas on Friday, February 28, members of the LSU track and field team wore black ribbons in honor of Reidenauer.

“For our forever teammate, Dillon Reidenauer. 🖤,” the team shared via Instagram. 

Friends and teammates of Reidenauer expressed their condolences on the LSU track and field Instagram post announcing her death. 

“Our teammate forever and always, love you Dillon ❤️,” LSU men’s pole vaulter Kameron Aime wrote. Alia Armstong, a former LSU hurdler who now represents Team USA, wrote, “May God have his hands on the hearts of this beautiful girl’s family and loved ones. 🙏🏾.”

A native of Abita Springs, Louisiana, Reidenauer was a freshman pursuing a degree in interior design at LSU.

News of Reidenauer’s death was announced at her high school alma mater, Fontainebleau High School in Mandeville, Louisiana, where her former track and field coach, Sam Sanders, said students were grieving. 

“It was a very somber day,” Sanders told NOLA.com. “It’s difficult to process — losing someone so quickly like that.”

At practice on Thursday, February 27, Sanders said many of the high school athletes, who had remained close with Reidenauer after she left for LSU, did their best to “pour themselves into it, just trying to deal with it.”