Missouri Man Charged With Murder in July 8th Vehicle Crash in Varnado

Craig Allen Breidenbach, age 54 and a resident of Clyde Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, was booked into the Washington Parish Jail late in the evening of July 26, 2022. 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.”