New Orleans, LA
(
Dec 11, 2024
) -
A tragic incident unfolded involving a high-speed pursuit that began after a reported shoplifting incident at Lakeside Mall. According to local authorities, on the evening of December 11, law enforcement responded to reports of three women allegedly fleeing the mall in a red SUV after stealing merchandise. An off-duty officer spotted the suspects leaving the scene and provided details of the SUV to Jefferson Parish deputies. The vehicle was located near the Jefferson-Orleans parish line, and a pursuit was initiated just after 7:30 p.m. The chase lasted less than a minute before being called off by a supervisor, who instructed deputies to turn off their lights and return to Jefferson Parish.
As deputies prepared to exit at St. Bernard Avenue, they discovered the suspect vehicle had collided with another car at the end of the off-ramp. Tragically, the crash claimed the life of a 17-year-old girl who was inside the vehicle struck by the fleeing SUV. Two additional passengers from the same car sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. The conditions of these victims remain unknown.
Following the collision, the three suspects attempted to flee the scene on foot. One of the women, identified as 30-year-old Joneka Smooth, was apprehended nearby, while the other two suspects remain at large. The crash scene, situated near the I-610 and St. Bernard Avenue intersection, was described as chaotic, with a significant law enforcement presence from both Jefferson Parish and New Orleans police departments. Streets in the area were closed for several hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.
Law enforcement emphasized that the pursuit had concluded before the crash occurred, with deputies no longer following the suspect vehicle when the accident happened. They noted the suspect's reckless driving caused the crash moments after law enforcement disengaged.
The 17-year-old girl who lost her life was an innocent bystander, uninvolved in the earlier events. Her passing highlights the heartbreaking consequences of criminal actions and reckless driving. Authorities have also urged anyone with information about the incident or the remaining suspects to contact law enforcement as investigations continue.
If you’ve been impacted by a car accident like this near you, accessing a police accident report is crucial for understanding what happened and protecting your legal rights. These reports are key documents for filing insurance claims and ensuring all parties are held accountable. For those who find themselves overwhelmed in the aftermath of such incidents, consulting with a local accident injury attorney is an important step to help you recover physically, emotionally, and financially. Call today!
