Joneaka Smooth, 31, is now facing charges for allegedly shoplifting on the afternoon of Dec. 11, hours before deputies said she caused a deadly crash.A manager with Saks 5th Avenue told WDSU, a woman acted as a look out while Smooth took six Gucci scarves valued at at least $3,500.According to New Orleans police, those women struck again hours later, this time reportedly shoplifting from Lakeside Mall.”An off-duty deputy observed the suspect leaving the mall and get into a red SUV,” said Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jason Rivarde. He said Jefferson Parish deputies said they spotted the vehicle and initiated a chase that was called off just one minute later near the Jefferson-Orleans parish line.”The suspects in this vehicle continued to drive completely out of control and caused the crash at this intersection,” Rivarde said.Video obtained by WDSU showed that the crash unfolded at 7:35 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11. In the video, you can see that SUV police said Smooth was driving exit at St. Bernard Avenue. The video shows the vehicle traveling at a high speed before hitting the median and going airborne, then crashing.Two teenagers, Giselle Smith, 17, and Semaj Morris, 17, were killed in the crash. Giselle’s 21-year-old sister Paris was also hurt. “To lose two precious lives like that over just a couple hundred dollars worth of clothing is absolutely unacceptable,” said the father of Giselle, Benjamin Smith, Sr. The video also showed what WDSU confirmed are JPSO deputies exiting about 40 seconds later with no emergency lights on and driving at low speeds.”All the units involved in the pursuit turned off their overhead lights and were progressing down here to St. Bernard Avenue, which is the first available exit,” Rivarde said.Other angles of the video showed law enforcement vehicles driving down a nearby street. According to police, those vehicles were driving to the area they believe Smooth and the other suspects were headed.New Orleans police have only identified two women they say were inside that vehicle, and the victims’ families say they want everyone involved held accountable.”That’s why there is a such thing as justice, and it ought to be served,” said Semaj Morris’ aunt, Matecha Smith.
Joneaka Smooth, 31, is now facing charges for allegedly shoplifting on the afternoon of Dec. 11, hours before deputies said she caused a deadly crash.
A manager with Saks 5th Avenue told WDSU, a woman acted as a look out while Smooth took six Gucci scarves valued at at least $3,500.
According to New Orleans police, those women struck again hours later, this time reportedly shoplifting from Lakeside Mall.
“An off-duty deputy observed the suspect leaving the mall and get into a red SUV,” said Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jason Rivarde.
He said Jefferson Parish deputies said they spotted the vehicle and initiated a chase that was called off just one minute later near the Jefferson-Orleans parish line.
“The suspects in this vehicle continued to drive completely out of control and caused the crash at this intersection,” Rivarde said.
Video obtained by WDSU showed that the crash unfolded at 7:35 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11.
In the video, you can see that SUV police said Smooth was driving exit at St. Bernard Avenue. The video shows the vehicle traveling at a high speed before hitting the median and going airborne, then crashing.
Two teenagers, Giselle Smith, 17, and Semaj Morris, 17, were killed in the crash. Giselle’s 21-year-old sister Paris was also hurt.
“To lose two precious lives like that over just a couple hundred dollars worth of clothing is absolutely unacceptable,” said the father of Giselle, Benjamin Smith, Sr.
The video also showed what WDSU confirmed are JPSO deputies exiting about 40 seconds later with no emergency lights on and driving at low speeds.
“All the units involved in the pursuit turned off their overhead lights and were progressing down here to St. Bernard Avenue, which is the first available exit,” Rivarde said.
Other angles of the video showed law enforcement vehicles driving down a nearby street.
According to police, those vehicles were driving to the area they believe Smooth and the other suspects were headed.
New Orleans police have only identified two women they say were inside that vehicle, and the victims’ families say they want everyone involved held accountable.
“That’s why there is a such thing as justice, and it ought to be served,” said Semaj Morris’ aunt, Matecha Smith.
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#Video #shows #shoplifting #suspects #vehicle #crash #killing #teens
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