Gisselle Smith, Semaj Morris Obituary, Death: Coroner Identifies West Jefferson H.S. Teens Killed in Police Chase
Gisselle Smith, Semaj Morris Obituary, Death – The two teenagers from West Jefferson High School who tragically lost their lives in a police pursuit have been identified by the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office. Gisselle Smith, 17, and Semaj Morris, also 17, were killed when their vehicle was struck by a red SUV driven by 31-year-old Joneaka Smooth. Smooth was allegedly attempting to flee law enforcement officers after being involved in a shoplifting incident.
According to authorities, the incident unfolded on Wednesday night around 7:39 p.m. on Interstate 610 East, near the St. Bernard Avenue off-ramp. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office (JPSO) deputies had been called to Lakeside Mall after a group of women was reported for stealing. An off-duty deputy spotted the women fleeing the mall in a red SUV, which prompted the deputy to alert on-duty officers. A pursuit began, with the deputies following the vehicle along I-10 East.
The chase continued, with the SUV crossing the Jefferson-Orleans parish line. At this point, a JPSO supervisor made the decision to terminate the chase due to safety concerns. However, Smooth continued driving, failing to make a right turn onto St. Bernard Avenue. The vehicle crossed two southbound lanes, hit an elevated grassy median, and became airborne. It then crashed into a 2022 Toyota Camry, where Smith and Morris were sitting. The collision resulted in their deaths at the scene.
Smooth was arrested the following Thursday and booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center. She faces several charges, including two counts of manslaughter, one count of negligent injury, one count of hit-and-run driving, and one count of resisting an officer by flight. The crash remains under investigation, and Smooth’s actions, particularly during the pursuit, are a key part of the ongoing inquiry.
This tragic event has drawn attention to the dangers of high-speed pursuits and the consequences of fleeing from law enforcement, as well as the impact it has on innocent lives caught in the middle.
