Preparedness
Teens’ Lives Shattered in New Orleans Shoplifting Tragedy
In a tragic incident in New Orleans, two teenagers lost their lives and a third person was critically injured following a hit-and-run collision involving suspected shoplifters. The unfortunate event unfolded last Wednesday night when a car, driven by 30-year-old Joneaka Smooth, struck a vehicle carrying the victims.
The victims, Giselle Smith and Semaj Morris, both 17-year-old students at West Jefferson High School, were accompanied by Smith’s 21-year-old sister, Paris Kiper, in a Toyota Camry. The collision occurred when Smooth, attempting to evade police after a shoplifting call, drove erratically. She maneuvered across multiple lanes, crossed a median, and ultimately collided with the Camry.
Both teenagers were pronounced dead at the scene, while Kiper remains in critical condition. Family members shared this devastating news with local media, expressing their grief.
Smooth reportedly fled the crash site but turned herself in to authorities the following day. She now faces serious charges, including manslaughter, hit-and-run, and fleeing from law enforcement. Another suspect, 37-year-old Lisa Herring, has been detained, while a third accomplice is still at large.
Giselle Smith’s family is particularly heartbroken, as her death follows the recent loss of her mother to colon cancer in July.
“Giselle was excited to finish her senior year, fulfilling her mother’s wishes, including choosing her school ring,” the grieving family said in a statement to WVUE. “She delighted in spending time with her siblings, friends, nieces and nephews. Her smile was contagious, much like our mother’s.”
Court documents reveal that Smooth has a significant criminal past, with prior convictions for felony and misdemeanor theft charges. In 2023, a Jefferson Parish judge had sentenced her to a two-year suspended sentence, which she may now be required to serve due to the alleged probation violation.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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