Giselle Smith and Semaj Morris, 17, were both killed on Wednesday, Dec. 11, with Smith’s sister Paris Kiper in critical condition
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Two teenagers in New Orleans, La., have died in a car crash after colliding with several people accused of shoplifting in another car, the New Orleans Police Department confirms to PEOPLE.
According to the police report obtained by PEOPLE, suspect Joneaka Smooth was driving the 2013 Mercedes GLK that collided with the victims’ 2022 Toyota Camry on Wednesday, Dec. 11. One 17-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other victims were transported to a local hospital where another 17-year-old died on Dec. 12 and a third teenage girl remains in stable condition.
According to WAFB9, the Orleans Parish Coroner told the outlet that 17-year-olds Giselle Smith and Semaj Morris were the victims of the crash. The outlet also shared that Smith’s sister Paris Kiper, 21, was the third passenger in the car. Per Fox 8, Kiper was due to celebrate her birthday the day after the crash. Smith’s family also told WAFB9 that they were mourning the death of Smith’s mother to colon cancer earlier this year.
According to WAFB9, the Orleans Parish Coroner told the outlet that 17-year-olds Giselle Smith and Semaj Morris were the victims of the crash. The outlet also shared that Smith’s sister Paris Kiper, 21, was the third passenger in the car. Per Fox 8, Kiper was due to celebrate her birthday the day after the crash. Smith’s family also told WAFB9 that they were mourning the death of Smith’s mother to colon cancer earlier this year.
The NOPD responded to the Jefferson Parish office and is handling the traffic crash incident only.
PEOPLE has contacted the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office for comment.
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Jefferson County police had been reporting to a shoplifting call, which involved Smooth, 30, and two accomplices. The three then fled authorities with Smooth reportedly driving erratically by crossing multiple lanes and jumping the median.
While the suspect fled the scene, the NOPD tells PEOPLE that Smooth later surrendered to authorities and is facing charges of fleeing police, hit and run, as well as manslaughter.
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A 37-year-old woman, who has been named as a potential accomplice, was detained by Jefferson Parish police and has been booked on a shoplifting warrant, per the NOPD. The other woman in the vehicle remains at large.
Smooth has a criminal record dating back to 2017, according to Jefferson Parish court records obtained by WAFB9.
In a video shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) by WDSU reporter Shay O’Connor, a vigil was held for Smith and Morris, who were both students at West Jefferson High School.
Gathering near the crash site, many people held up pink and blue balloons as they expressed their condolences.
“A huge vigil just took place near the crash site where HS seniors Semaj Morris and Giselle Smith lost their lives last Wednesday at 610 and St. Bernard,” the caption read. “After suspected shoplifters were chased by JPSO deputies.”
