UPDATE
Craig Allen Breidenbach, 54, a resident of Clyde Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, was booked into the Washington Parish Jail late in the evening of July 26. Breidenbach’s charges include second degree murder and reckless operation of a motor vehicle. His bond has been set at $600,000. He had been hospitalized in New Orleans since July 8 due to serious injuries suffered during a motor vehicle accident on that date.
After a thorough investigation by Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives, it has been determined that Breidenbach, while driving on Highway 21 inside the village limits of Varnado on July 8, intentionally drove his vehicle into another vehicle occupied by Sylvia Ann Harry, a resident of the Wesley Ray Community near Angie, causing Harry’s death and Breidenbach’s injuries.
Breidenbach was released from the hospital on July 26 at which time Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies transported him to St. Tammany Parish. Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies met them there and then transported Breidenbach to the parish jail in Franklinton.
“We’re glad Breidenbach is in the Washington Parish Jail,” stated Sheriff Randy Seal. “That is exactly where he needs to be until he can be tried and convicted in a court of law. The next stop for him should be a lifetime stay in a Louisiana prison. His incarceration certainly will not bring back the precious lady whose life he took, but it will bring justice to an otherwise horrible incident.”
ORIGINAL ATICLE
On July 8, the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a fatal crash on Highway 21 in Varnado. Sylvia Ann Harry, a resident of the Wesley Ray community, was an innocent victim after her vehicle was struck head-on by a van driven by Craig Breidenbach, a resident of St. Louis, Missouri. Breidenbach suffered serious injuries and is still undergoing medical treatment. The Louisiana State Police assisted at the scene.
A wonderful Christian lady, Sylvia was a graduate of Varnado High School and Sullivan Technical College. She was employed for 27 years as a Paraprofessional at Wesley Ray Elementary School. Sylvia faithfully served the Wesley Ray United Methodist Church as President of the Usher Board and co-secretary for Vacation Bible School as well as serving her community as a caregiver.
“The loss of this precious lady is a loss for all of Washington Parish,” stated Sheriff Randy Seal. “I extend my sincere condolences to her family and friends. The situation and facts of this tragic event are still being investigated and we hope to finish unraveling all the details in the near future. I assure everyone that the Sheriff’s Office will not rest until this case is fully resolved.
"Meanwhile, I ask all parish citizens to cover this grieving family in prayer as they continue to mourn the tragic and senseless loss of their loved one.”
