Ex-Saints Player Killed in Road-Rage Incident

Will Smith was on Super Bowl-winning team in 2010
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 10, 2016 7:19 AM CDT
Updated Apr 10, 2016 9:35 AM CDT
Ex-Saint Killed in Road-Rage Incident
The Mercedes-Benz Superdome in the second half of an NFL game between the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014.   (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)

Former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith, who played on the 2010 team that brought home the Super Bowl title, was "having a blast" Saturday night in NOLA's Garden district, per his own Instagram photo. Then abruptly, he was dead, reports the Times Picayune, the victim of an apparent road-rage incident that also sent the 34-year-old's wife to the hospital with gunshot wounds. The Smiths were apparently returning from a French Quarter party when their SUV was rear-ended by a Hummer.

Smith exited the vehicle, and "exchanged words" with the driver, "at which time the driver of the Hummer produced a handgun and shot the male victim (Smith) multiple times and his 34-year-old wife twice in the right leg," per an NOPD rep. Cardell Hayes, 28, has been charged with second-degree murder, adds the Times-Picayune. "A senseless and tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Will Smith—his wife Racquel—his children William, Wynter and Lisa," said a Saints rep in a statement, via CNN. (More New Orleans Saints stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X