NFL News 2016: New Orleans Saints' Will Smith Shot Dead in Road Rage Incident, Local Government Speaks Out
On Saturday night, the life of New Orleans Saints Will Smith ended in a flash after being shot several times in a traffic altercation.
In a report by ABC News, the 34-year old Smith was driving in New Orleans' Lower Garden District when he was rear-ended by 28-year old Cardell Hayes, causing him to hit the vehicle in front of him. Both Smith and Hayes had exchanged some words after the incident, which led to the latter drawing a hand gun and shooting the football player several times.
Smith's wife, who was at the scene as well, was also shot, but was able to be transported to a local hospital where she received treatment. Law enforcement officials have deemed her injuries to be 'non-life-threatening.'
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Hayes, for his part, stayed in the crime scene until the police arrived, where his handgun was recovered. He was then arrested for second-degree murder.
According to attorney John Fuller, Hayes is not guilty of the said charges, noting that his client only used his weapon with the impression that Smith was about to draw out a gun as well.
In another report by USA Today, Hayes, who apparently is a football player himself, was described by his former coach Fred Washington as a "good person."
"Never demonstrated a temper, not in my presence," Washington said.
Lee Green, who also claims to have coached Hayes in the past, also defended his former player, noting how the latter was a "real good high school student."
For their part, the local government of New Orleans has taken note of the incidents of road rage in their area. According to New Orleans-based crime data consultant Jeff Asher, the root of the said problem is more psychological in nature.
"It's about conflict resolution. It starts in childhood, with education," Asher said in an interview with USA Today. "Teaching people to resolve their conflicts peacefully."
According to the data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, road rage and aggressive driving were said to be the key factors in 375 fatal crashes resulting to 418 deaths in 2014 alone.
