Ex-Saints Player Killed in Road-Rage Incident

Former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith, who played on the 2010 team that brought home the Super Bowl title, was "having a blast" Saturday night in NOLA's Garden district, per his own Instagram photo. Then abruptly, he was dead, reports the Times Picayune, the victim of an apparent road-rage incident that also sent the 34-year-old's wife to the hospital with gunshot wounds. The Smiths were apparently returning from a French Quarter party when their SUV was rear-ended by a Hummer.

Smith exited the vehicle, and "exchanged words" with the driver, "at which time the driver of the Hummer produced a handgun and shot the male victim (Smith) multiple times and his 34-year-old wife twice in the right leg," per an NOPD rep. Cardell Hayes, 28, has been charged with second-degree murder, adds the Times-Picayune. "A senseless and tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Will Smith—his wife Racquel—his children William, Wynter and Lisa," said a Saints rep in a statement, via CNN. (More New Orleans Saints stories.)