38-year-old deaf man, Caleb Chappetta, struck and killed by police SUV
On Friday night in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a 38-year-old deaf man named Caleb James Chappetta was struck and killed by a Baton Rouge Police Department SUV at an intersection.
There are many people on deaf social media who have posted statements of shock and grief over Caleb’s death.
Caleb’s younger sister, Christina Chappetta, posted a tribute on Facebook saying “this one hits so hard.” She said “His life was far far too short and our loss will forever leave a gaping hole in my heart.”
The BRPD said the police vehicle that crashed into Caleb’s car was responding to a call of an officer who said he was being shot at about two miles away. The BRPD said their SUV entered the intersection going westbound while Chappetta’s car was traveling southbound. Six other vehicles were struck during the collision.
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I reached out to the BRPD to ask how fast the police SUV was traveling and on whether the Chappetta family would get any recourse during this time. I did not get a response.
A news report from local journalist Kiran Chawla that was published yesterday said the officer who drove the SUV could face a negligent homicide charge as the district attorney investigates. The report said the officers may have been driving upwards of 80 mph and did not stop at a red light at the intersection. The report said Caleb was ejected and died of his injuries. It also said neither Caleb nor the officer were wearing their seat belts.
An obituary explained that Caleb resided in Slidell, Louisiana for many years. He attended the Louisiana School for the Deaf up to high school and then went to Slidell High School, graduating in 2005.
There will be a memorial service for Caleb this Saturday in Slidell.