Former Saints DE Will Smith Killed in New Orleans

Sad news to report out of New Orleans. Former Saints defensive end Will Smith was killed Saturday night following an argument that stemmed from a traffic accident.

Per reports, around 11:30 p.m. a three-car accident happened near Sophie Wright Place. A Hummer H2 rear-ended Smith’s Mercedes-Benz SUV which caused Smith’s car to rear-end the Chevy Impala driven by one of his friends.

Smith, 34, and the driver of the Hummer “exchanged words” before the driver of the Hummer pulled out a gun and shot Smith multiple times. He died at the scene. Smith’s wife, Raquel was also shot twice in the leg per police said.

New Orleans police booked 28-year-old Cardell “Bear” Hayes, 28, with second-degree murder on Sunday morning, according to The Advocate. Hayes played for the New Orleans VooDoo arena football team in 2013. He was previously arrested in August 2010 for a charge of illegal carrying of a weapon plus possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal possession of codeine.

In June 2012 he pleaded guilty to a weapons and codeine charges, and received a 5-year prison sentence that was immediately suspended. He withdrew the plea a month later. In January 2014 he pleaded guilty to a reduced weapons charge and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was sentenced to six months probation.

Smith spent 10 years with the New Orleans Saints and was a starter on the Super Bowl XLIV championship team. He also won a national championship at Ohio State and was the No. 18 overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft. Will and Raquel married in 2008. He leaves behind three children, Wynter Chase Smith, William J. Smith, and Lisa Mya Smith.