LSU freshman pole vaulter Dillon Reidenauer has died at the age of 18 after being involved in a fatal car crash near Tiger Stadium on Wednesday (February 26), WBRZ reports.

Reidenauer was T-boned by a motorcycle driven by 23-year-old Bodhi Linton, who also died in the accident, which resulted in both vehicles erupting into flames.

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

Reidenauer was one of the top high school pole vaulter prospects from the state of Louisiana, finishing second at the 2024 LHSAA State 5A Championships with a clearance of 3.64 meters as a senior at Fontainbleau High School.

“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," LSU Athletics said in an official statement. "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.”

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