ALEXANDRIA, La. (3/14/2025) – A retired Louisiana State Trooper pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in connection with a 2021 fatal hit-and-run in Alexandria. The plea, entered on March 13, 2025, reduced the original charge of vehicular homicide, which carried a maximum sentence of 30 years.
David Westmoreland, 63, was initially charged with vehicular homicide, first-offense DWI, hit-and-run, and improper passing of a bicycle after he struck and killed Donnie Cayer, 48, on May 1, 2021, at the intersection of Horseshoe Drive and Prescott Road.
Following his arrest, Westmoreland pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide in June 2022. After multiple court hearings, Judge Jimmie Peters allowed the State to amend the charge from vehicular homicide to negligent homicide. Westmoreland then pleaded guilty to the reduced charge.
Possible Sentences and Plea Agreement
Had Westmoreland been convicted of vehicular homicide, he could have faced five to 30 years in prison, with mandatory imprisonment if his blood alcohol content exceeded 0.15%. By pleading guilty to negligent homicide, he now faces a maximum sentence of five years.
As part of the plea agreement, the State dismissed the hit-and-run, DWI, and improper passing charges.
Legal Representation
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kelvin Sanders. Defense attorneys J. Small and J. Calmes Jr. represented Westmoreland.
The court ordered a Pre-Sentencing Investigation (PSI), due by May 1, 2025.
Original Coverage (Facebook): Traffic Fatality
Former Louisiana State Trooper pleads ‘NOT GUILTY’ to charges related to the Hit & Run Homicide on Horseshoe Drive
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