Tragic Incident in Leland: Autopsy Reveals Teen’s Death from Patrol Car Collision

A community in Leland is reeling after the release of an autopsy report detailing the death of 17-year-old Kadarius Smith, who tragically died after allegedly being struck by a patrol car and subsequently passing away at a local hospital.

Attorney Ben Crump disclosed that the autopsy results indicated Smith’s death was due to blunt-force trauma. According to Crump, the incident occurred in the early hours of March 21 while Smith was walking home with friends. Witnesses reported that a Leland patrol car initiated a pursuit of Smith, culminating in the fatal collision.

“These autopsy findings vividly depict the heartbreaking manner in which Kadarius lost his life—his head crushed under the weight of a police cruiser,” stated Crump, who represents the family. “This young man had a promising future ahead, now cut short, leaving his family to mourn indefinitely. The officers involved in Kadarius’s death must be held accountable for their actions. There can be no justification for running over a human being with such devastating consequences.

Leland, nestled in the agricultural heartlands known for cotton and soybeans, is a small community with a population of approximately 3,900, located 110 miles northwest of Jackson, Mississippi’s capital.

Josh Bogen, legal counsel for the city, previously asserted that officers were responding to a reported assault when the tragic collision occurred. However, he did not confirm whether Smith was a suspect in the assault.

“The notion that our officer intentionally struck the victim is patently false,” Bogen told the Associated Press. He characterized the incident as an “accident.”

The incident has sparked outrage and demands for justice from the community and advocates, intensifying scrutiny on police procedures and accountability in Leland.

The investigation into Kadarius Smith’s death continues, with community leaders and legal representatives closely monitoring developments as they unfold.

This rewrite maintains factual accuracy while presenting the information in a structured news format, providing context and perspectives from both sides involved in the incident.