Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Name Not Disclosed
Age : 17
Gender : Female
Race : Unknown
Date : 08/13/2022
Location : Roberts Road
City : Hendry County
County : Hendry
State : Florida
Agency : Hendry County Sheriff’s Office
Officer(s) :Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Passenger killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 08/13/2022, Hendry County Sheriff's Office deputies attempted to stop a Nissan Altima. Public reporting states the driver continued driving away while deputies pursued, although the specific reason deputies initiated the attempted traffic stop was not disclosed in the reporting that followed.
The pursuit continued along County Road 835 northwest of Clewiston. During the chase, the Nissan left the roadway, entered a canal near Roberts Road, and became submerged. Deputies and emergency responders attempted rescue efforts, but both occupants were trapped in the vehicle. Teijo Caden Ray Smith, 19, of Clewiston, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 17-year-old female passenger from Hialeah also died in the crash. Florida Highway Patrol assumed responsibility for the crash investigation because the fatalities occurred during a law enforcement pursuit. Public reporting did not identify the passenger by name.
Subsequent reporting located for this case did not identify the deputies involved in the pursuit, report any civil lawsuit filed by Smith's family, or identify any disciplinary action arising from the incident.
