NEW ORLEANS (WVUE/Gray News) – A community is mourning the loss of two teens killed in a crash, while another victim recovers in the hospital from critical injuries.
The Orleans Parish Coroner says Giselle Smith and Semaj Morris, both 17, were killed in a crash on Dec. 11.
Smith’s 21-year-old sister, Paris Kiper, was also injured and is reportedly in critical condition, according to family members.
Smith and Morris, both students at West Jefferson High School, and Kiper were traveling in a Toyota Camry when a car driven by suspected shoplifter Joneaka Smooth collided with them, according to police.
The crash happened after officials say 30-year-old Smooth, along with two accomplices, fled from deputies responding to a shoplifting call. Investigators say Smooth was driving erratically on I-10 before exiting at St. Bernard Avenue, crossing multiple lanes, jumping a median and slamming into the Camry.
Smooth reportedly fled the scene after the crash.
Smooth later surrendered to authorities and faces charges of manslaughter, hit-and-run and fleeing police. One accomplice remains at large, while another, identified as 37-year-old Lisa Herring, reportedly was detained, though she does not yet appear on court records.
Jefferson Parish court records show Smooth has a criminal history dating back to at least 2017.
Smooth has pleaded guilty to two previous felony theft charges and two misdemeanor theft charges.
In 2023, a Jefferson Parish judge sentenced her to two years in prison but suspended the sentence to allow her to be freed on probation.
On Friday, a judge asked that the state pardon and parole department be notified of Smooth’s new case.
Metropolitan Crime Commission president Rafael Goyeneche said he expects the prior guilty pleas to exacerbate any sentence she receives if she’s found guilty.
Family members say while Kiper, who turned 21 Thursday, is in critical condition, she has shown signs of responsiveness and squeezed a relative’s hand.
Smith’s family already was mourning the loss of Giselle’s mother to colon cancer earlier this year.
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