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Second teenage girl dies in hit-and-run with suspected shoplifters identified

Second teenage girl dies in hit-and-run with suspected shoplifters identified

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – The Orleans Parish Coroner has identified Giselle Smith and Semaj Morris, both 17, as the two teenagers killed in a crash Wednesday night.

The crash left Smith’s sister, Paris Kiper, 21, in critical condition, according to family members.

Smith and Morris, both students at West Jefferson High School, were traveling in a Toyota Camry when a car driven by alleged thief Joneaka Smooth collided with them, according to police.

The crash occurred after officials say Smooth, 30, along with two accomplices fled from deputies responding to a burglary call. Investigators say Smooth was driving erratically on I-10 before exiting at St. Bernard Avenue, crossed multiple lanes, jumped a median and slammed into the Camry.

Jefferson Parish court records show Smooth has a criminal record dating back to at least 2017.

She pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and two counts of misdemeanor theft.

In 2023, a Jefferson Parish judge sentenced her to two years in prison, but suspended the sentence for probation.

On Friday (12/13), an Orleans Parish judge ordered that the department of pardons and parole be notified of Smooth’s case.

Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche said he expects the previous guilty pleas to exacerbate any sentence she receives if found guilty.

One dead, two injured in crash near I-610 following shoplifting incident and over…
One dead, two injured in crash near I-610 following burglary incident and pursuit terminated, deputies say

Both teenagers were pronounced dead at the scene. Smooth surrendered to authorities on Thursday and is charged with manslaughter, hit and run by police. An accomplice remains at large, while another, Lisa Herring, 37, has been arrested and charged with shoplifting.

Joneaka Smooth, 30, is accused of driving a vehicle that fled the scene of a burglary…
Joneaka Smooth, 30, is accused of driving a vehicle that fled the scene of a theft incident that ended in a fatal crash.(NOPD)

Family members say Kiper, who turned 21 the next day, is in critical condition but showed signs of responsiveness and shook a relative’s hand.

Smith’s family, already mourning the loss of their matriarch to colon cancer earlier this year, say they are heartbroken.

See also: Family says 17-year-old girl killed in hit-and-run with alleged thieves had ‘infectious smile’ like her mother

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