New Orleans, LA (December 12, 2024) – A tragic accident near the Jefferson-Orleans parish line on Wednesday, December 11, has resulted in the deaths of two 17-year-old girls and left one other person injured. The crash occurred following a brief pursuit by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office (JPSO) deputies.
According to the JPSO, deputies responded to a report of a shoplifting incident at Lakeside Mall involving a group of women. An off-duty deputy spotted the suspects leaving in a red SUV, and the pursuit began on Interstate 10 East. The chase lasted less than a minute before it was called off by a supervisor. However, as the deputies turned off their overhead lights and exited I-10 at the St. Bernard Avenue off-ramp, they witnessed the SUV crash.
New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) and emergency medical services were called to the scene. The investigation revealed that the driver of the SUV, 30-year-old Joneaka Smooth, was allegedly speeding on Interstate 610 when she missed a turn onto St. Bernard Avenue and struck a median. The SUV went airborne before colliding with a Toyota.
The crash resulted in one fatality in the Toyota, a 17-year-old girl who was pronounced dead at the scene. Another 17-year-old girl from the Toyota was transported to the hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. A third person in the Toyota was also injured and hospitalized.
Smooth and two other women from the SUV fled the scene on foot. One of the women was apprehended by deputies in the nearby area. However, Smooth and the second woman remain at large.
Smooth is currently wanted by authorities on two counts of manslaughter, charges of negligent injury, hit-and-run, and flight from an officer.
Vehicle Accidents in Louisiana
Accidents in high-speed areas such as I-610 can often lead to severe consequences, especially when reckless driving or evasion of law enforcement is involved. The collision in this case highlights the dangers of pursuits and high-speed driving, especially in urban areas where sudden changes in direction or the presence of other vehicles can quickly escalate into catastrophic crashes.
This tragic incident is a reminder of the potential consequences of fleeing from law enforcement, particularly when high speeds and dangerous maneuvers are involved. It also underscores the need for drivers to remain vigilant and adhere to speed limits to prevent accidents that can result in life-threatening injuries or fatalities.
Local Accident Reports will continue to track the investigation and provide updates on this case. We encourage anyone with information about the whereabouts of Joneaka Smooth and the other suspect to contact authorities.
