A suspected shoplifter fleeing police slammed into another car last week in Louisiana, killing two teenagers inside and critically injuring one of the girls’ sister.
Giselle Smith and Samaj Morris, both 17=year-old students at West Jefferson High School, were killed in the Wednesday night crash just off Interstate 10 in Orleans Parish, WVUE reported. Smith’s sister, 21-year-old Paris Kiper, was injured.
Police said the suspect vehicle, driven by 30-year-old Joneaka Smooth and carrying two accomplices, was fleeing from a shoplifting call. They said Smooth was driving erratically in the highway, then exited at St. Bernard Avenue, crossed multiple lanes, jumped a media, and crashed into a Toyota Camry carrying the teens and Kiper.
Smooth pleaded guilty to two prior felony theft charges and two misdemeanor theft charges last year and was sentenced to two years in prison, but the sentence was suspended, and she was released on probation.
Smooth surrendered on Thursday and was charged with manslaughter, hit-and-run, and fleeing police. One of her accomplices was reportedly detained but has not yet appeared in court records.
The shoplifting call came from Lakeside Mall in Metairie, WDSU reported. After the crash, Smooth and the others fled the scene on foot, parish officials said.
Family members held a vigil Sunday night, condemning Smooth and the others for leaving the scene and questioning the police decision to initiate a dangerous pursuit for a petty theft.
Jefferson Parish officials said the crash took place just after deputies called off the chase, WVUE reported.
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[Featured image: WDSU screenshot]