LAPLACE — The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office is rallying around one of its most beloved members after the deputy’s 5-year-old child was killed as the result of injuries sustained in a head-on collision in St. Amant.

Addisyn Teekell, the daughter of Benjamin Teekell, was pronounced dead Friday night at Our Lady of the Lake medical center.

“I went to the crash site and went to the hospital and saw the hospital staff working feverishly,” St. John Sheriff Mike Tregre said. “From what I saw, they did everything they could possibly do to save this little girl.”

Following Addisyn’s tragic death, local authorities have focused on comforting Benjamin and his 8-year-old daughter Ashtyn, who, as of Tuesday, remained hospitalized with injuries sustained in the crash.

“We’re there for him,” Tregre said. “Officers have been with him and his family since the incident occurred. Now, we’re trying to help him financially, because most people don’t plan or prepare for the expenses of a funeral as unexpected as this. We’re doing things to help him. This is a very painful experience.”

A benefit account has been set up at Regions Bank for the family. Anyone may make a donation at any Regions Bank in the name of the fund: “Teekell Family Benefit Account.”

A group of approximately 20 officers visited Ashtyn at the hospital Monday, bringing plain M&Ms and other goodies, as requested, to make her feel better and help in anyway possible get her mind off what was going on around her.

“She did smile, and Teekell said that was the first time she smiled since she has been at the hospital,” according to Tregre.

Known for his giving spirit, Teekell routinely travels to other police departments across the country at his own expense during times of tragedy in an effort to show support.

His dedication to community was featured in L’OBSERVATEUR in late 2017 for raising money to buy and donate a 40-inch TV to Tchoupitoulas Chapel in Reserve after the location was burglarized.

“I’ve always been a big giver,” Teekell said at the time. “That’s part of the reason I, and others, joined the police force. At the end of the day, it’s about helping the community and victims of crime. I’m glad we got the chance to do something special.”

In the aftermath of Friday’s crash, Teekell’s social media posts drew attention as he shared:

“Daddy did everything he could do and the doctors didn’t stop until God called you home,” Benjamin Teekell posted on Facebook Saturday in reference to Addisyn.

“As for the driver who took my princess Addisyn away, if I can’t forgive you then I am a hypocrite to what I preached to her … and for her sake, I forgive you.”

Teekell works in the Sheriff’s Office’s Special Operations/K9 Division.

Crash scene

Louisiana State Police began investigating the two-vehicle fatality crash on Louisiana 621 west of Louisiana 431 in Ascension Parish shortly after 9 p.m. Friday.

The initial investigation revealed the crash occurred as Teekell, 32, of Baton Rouge was traveling westbound on Louisiana 621 in a 2013 GMC Terrain.

At the same time, 35-year-old Joey Gaudet of Gonzales was traveling eastbound on Louisiana 621 in a 1999 GMC Yukon.

For reasons still under investigation, Gaudet attempted to make a left turn onto Mire Road and struck Teekell’s vehicle head-on.

Addisyn was properly restrained at the time of the crash and sustained serious injuries. She was evacuated to Our Lady of the Lake, where she was later pronounced deceased.

Impairment is not a suspected crash factor, State Police said, but a toxicology sample was taken from both drivers for analysis.

The crash remains under investigation and charges are pending, State Police announced Saturday.

Requests for updates on charges Monday and Tuesday morning were not answered.

Funeral information

A Celebration of Addisyn Teekell’s life will be held on Saturday/April 14 at the Healing Place Church Arena, 19202 Highland Road in Baton Rouge. Private viewing will be from 8 to 9 a.m. Public viewing will follow from 9 to 11 a.m. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m.

 Following services, the burial will be held at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, 11817 Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge.