Police seek bystanders who stole backpack of photo gear from bicyclist killed in drag racing crash

"Rudd, an avid photographer, was carrying a backpack believed to contain electronic and photographic equipment," according to a Facebook post by Greater Baton Rouge Crime Stoppers. "During the crash, the backpack landed in the roadway. These individuals decide to steal the backpack instead of rendering aid to Rudd or the other victims."

According to WAFB in Baton Rouge, the crash occurred around 5:30 p.m. after siblings Christopher Brock, 56, and Lattimore Brock, 67, decided to race one another down North Lobdell Boulevard, a thoroughfare located east of downtown. Investigators believe Rudd was killed after one of the brothers lost control of his vehicle.

Credit: East Baton Rouge Parish Jail

Credit: East Baton Rouge Parish Jail

Authorities told the news station Christopher Brock, who was driving a 2008 BMW, lost control and struck the driver’s side of his brother’s 2006 Ford Mustang, causing both cars to leave the roadway. The cars struck Rudd and a utility pole before coming to rest against a tree.

Rudd's friend, Michael Colbert, told NBC 33 in Baton Rouge that Rudd pushed him out of the path of the oncoming vehicles, saving his life, just before the fatal impact.

Photos taken by another driver show what appears to be Christopher Brock’s unrecognizable BMW partially perched on top of his brother’s Mustang. A man is seen approaching the smoldering wreckage with a fire extinguisher.

Christopher Brock, of Baker, died at the scene, WAFB reported. Lattimore Brock was booked Jan. 26 into the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail on two counts of vehicular homicide, driving while intoxicated, drag racing on a public street, failure to maintain control and reckless driving, the news station said.

Jail records show Lattimore Brock was released on bail the following day.

Doug Moore, president of Bike Baton Rouge, spoke out at a memorial held days later for Rudd at the site of his death.

"That someone could show such wanton disregard for other people's lives is heartbreaking," Moore said, according to the Advocate in Baton Rouge. "We can only hope this tragic situation raises awareness about how dangerous driving can be."

Rudd is described in his obituary as a self-motivated man who wanted to be a photographer and videographer in the rap music industry. He established a photography business, MoFo Shots.

"Deondrick began to capture the public's eye with his work and his willingness to make others great," the obituary states. "Many fans began to follow him on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. MoFo Shots became the one to call if you wanted your video or photos done right."

Rudd's mother, Dionne Harris, of Lake Charles, told WAFB her son also focused on weddings and other celebrations in his burgeoning photography career, in which she said he used the skills in digital art he picked up while studying at Southern University.

Weddings were on his mind because Rudd planned to propose to his girlfriend, Terry Evett, on Valentine’s Day, his mother said. Harris told the news station her son discussed with her the wedding he hoped to have.

He would have become stepfather to Evett’s two young children. Rudd is also survived by his parents, two siblings and a step-sibling.

Harris described her son as a people person who got along with everyone. He lit up a room when he entered it, she told WAFB.

She described the moment she learned of her oldest child’s death.

"When it happened, I broke down real hard," Harris said. "His stepfather grabbed me and consoled me. He said, 'Baby, it's going to be all right.' I told him, 'No, it's not going to be all right because he's gone.'"

According to Christopher Brock's obituary, he is survived by his wife and seven children.