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Shoplifting chase ends in fatal car crash: one dead, two suspects at large JPSO says

Authorities said three people were inside of the car when it was struck by the SUV. One victim was declared dead on the scene and two others were taken to a hospital

NEW ORLEANS — A shoplifting pursuit in Jefferson Parish ended in a fatal car crash on Wednesday evening in New Orleans, leaving one dead and two injured, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. Deputies said one suspect is in custody, while two remain at large.

Around 7:30 p.m. JPSO deputies were called to a store inside Lakeside Mall after a group of women were caught stealing. An off-duty deputy saw the women fleeing the mall in a red SUV, a release said. The deputy then notified on-duty deputies via radio and followed the women near I-10 East.

A pursuit for the vehicle began but only lasted less than one minute, as the car crossed the Jefferson-Orleans parish line before it was terminated by a JPSO supervisor.

"All deputies turned off their overhead lights, and progressed to the St. Bernard Ave. exit to turn around and head back to Jefferson Parish," a release said. "The termination of the pursuit was documented by both radio transmission and in-vehicle cameras."

JPSO said as the women reached the end of the off-ramp, the SUV crashed into another vehicle on St. Bernard Ave. Deputies then notified NOPD and New Orleans EMS.

Deputies said three women fled on foot, but one was found in the area and was taken into custody by JPSO deputies.

Authorities said three people were inside of the car when it was struck by the SUV. One victim was pronounced dead on the scene and two others were taken to a nearby hospital.

No further information is available at this time.

Previously reported

A heavy police presence surrounded the area near Dillard University on Wednesday night. 

We reached out to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office and were told the presence was due to an incident in the parish.

We sent a crew to check out the scene. At the scene, at least two cars were damaged, with multiple JPSO units in the area.

No information is available about arrests or injuries. 

We reached out to JPSO to learn more information.

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