LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The family of 12-year-old Jada Smith is sharing their heartbreak after she was killed by an alleged drunk driver on the Gene Snyder Freeway early Monday, as her mother also faces charges.
Louisville Metro Police said the crash happened around 2:30 a.m. Monday when Renaldo Gill, 34, slammed his Dodge into a Jeep driven by Jada’s mother, Jasmine Simpson. The Jeep flipped, crossed the median and all three passengers were ejected. Jada died at the scene.
Dayanna Broome, Jada’s aunt, said the family is devastated.
“Jada is sweet, a ball of joy,” Broome said.
Police said neither Jada nor her mother was wearing a seatbelt, and a 4-year-old child in the car wasn’t properly secured. The child, who is autistic and non-verbal, survived and was released from the hospital Thursday.
“When we got home, she was going room to room to room looking for her siblings and crying,” Broome said.
Gill’s blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit. He was arrested and charged with murder, DUI and several other charges. In arraignment court Tuesday, a judge set his bond at $500,000.
Pictured: the jail booking photo from Louisville Metro Corrections for Renaldo Gill. (Louisville Metro Corrections)
Simpson, who remains in the ICU at University of Louisville Hospital, also faces charges after police said her children were not properly restrained in the vehicle. The charges against her include wanton endangerment, failure to wear seat belts, and seat belt anchor.
“The kids didn’t have their seatbelts on. I do understand that. At the same time, we’re missing the point—my niece lost her life to a drunk driver,” Broome said.
LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey said ultimately, the fault lies with Gill.
“Ultimately, the fault lies with that person who … ultimately he’s going to face justice for that,” Humphrey said.
The family said no punishment compares to what Simpson is enduring.
“She lost her child—that’s going to hurt her the most. She lost her child,” Broome said.
The family said Simpson moved from Detroit, Michigan, with her five children for a better life in Louisville.
They're now asking for donations to bring Jada’s body back to Detroit so she can be laid to rest there.
Top Stories:
Louisville man charged with murder after kicking and biting 5-year-old son, police say
Kentucky residents line up for Powerball tickets as jackpot soars to $1.8 billion
$500,000 bond set for Louisville man charged in fatal triple shooting in Valley Station
Records show JCPS knew about spoiled milk nearly a week before alerting parents
Louisville police auctioning off 170 unclaimed vehicles from impound lot
New Albany business owner charged with conspiracy to commit murder after police raids
Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
