BATON ROUGE — Taquencya Harris, 34, is now in police custody after being accused of a hit-and-run crash that led to the death of LaDerica Stewart, 22, and the severe injury of her cousin, Di’Arbonee Smith, on Plank Road.
According to the Baton Rouge Police Department, Harris was arrested on Monday for the March 30 crash that occurred around 3:15 a.m. Harris allegedly struck the group of four people while driving 12 mph over the speed limit. In addition to Stewart’s death, two others were injured in the incident.
Police say that after the crash, Harris took the SUV involved in the collision to an auto shop on Greenwell Springs Road and claimed the damage was due to a collision with a deer. However, investigators found debris at the crash scene matching parts from Harris’s vehicle. A video provided by Harris’s boyfriend also placed her behind the wheel around the time of the crash.
Harris has been booked on two counts each of injury or death caused by hit-and-run driving and hit-and-run driving, along with one count each of obstruction of justice and careless operation.
The victim’s family, including Stewart’s father, Derrick, expressed frustration with the charges. On Facebook, Derrick posted, “Charges aren’t enough. I need footage from club owners and corner stores that she received alcohol from. This woman killed my baby. She has no remorse.”
The investigation into the crash continues, with authorities seeking further details about Harris’s actions leading up to the accident.
