A five-week-old baby and a man have been killed in a horrific accident after a mother led police on a high-speed chase after stealing baby products from a Louisiana Walmart.
Edward Williams, of Monroe, and a five-week-old baby died after Candance Gill, 38, led police on a chase that ended in two wrecked cars just after 6pm on Monday.
Gill and Williams were reportedly confronted by security guards at a Walmart for stealing baby products. By the time police arrived at the scene, the couple had fled in their vehicle.
Gill’s silver Chevrolet Camaro was spotted by witnesses descending a freeway.
An “officer tracked and activated his lights and sirens, but the vehicle did not stop,” according to the police report obtained by KNOE.
She was reportedly driving on the shoulder of the road and ran several red lights just before colliding with another vehicle near Highway 165 and Renwick Street.
Gill fled the scene and was later found at a residence on Otis Street. She was committed to Ouachita Correctional Center on $271,950 bail.
The mother was charged with two counts of manslaughter, four counts of negligent assault, one count of shoplifting, four counts of no-shows on a warrant, two counts of failing to use a seatbelt, and possession of a firearm by a for a felony and more, according to her booking information.
Candance Gill, 38, was booked into Ouachita Correctional Center on $271,950 bail and charged with double manslaughter after she reportedly stole baby products from a Walmart and led police on a chase. What she allegedly stole is unclear
Gill (pictured) and Edwards were reportedly approached by Walmart security about the reported theft, but they escaped and fled in a car, where they were later seen speeding down the freeway before collapsing
Gill’s car was seen with the hood crushed (pictured) after the serious accident. Gill managed to escape the crash and was later arrested at a residence on Otis Street. Williams was pronounced dead at the scene and the child sustained serious injuries and died in hospital
Williams was pronounced dead at the scene and the baby was taken to the hospital with serious injuries and later died.
“The Monroe Police Department believes the child was not properly restrained in the vehicle prior to the accident,” police said.
The two occupants of the other car reportedly suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
It’s unclear what baby items Gill and Williams stole from the store, but it comes as parents face a baby food shortage that is hitting the South hardest.
Parents in Tennessee have been hardest hit by the baby food shortage, new data from shows – closely followed by those in Joe Biden’s home state of Delaware.
The scale of the crisis is illustrated by the new analysis, which shows only 43 percent of the usual national supply of baby food is available.
Tennessee has 54 percent of the state’s usual supply, Delaware 54 percent and Texas 52 percent.
The situation is likely to get much worse this week as parents panic-buy supplies and more stores run out of produce.
The occupants of the other car (pictured) reportedly suffered non-life-threatening injuries
The problem began earlier this year when a Michigan-based factory was found to have flouted Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hygiene procedures and four babies were hospitalized after consuming contaminated formula, killing one.
As the shortage continues — and is estimated to last year-round — the Louisiana Department of Health is advising parents to be cautious about randomly choosing substitutes.
“We understand the frustration families feel when they cannot find a brand that their baby has become accustomed to, but it is very important that during this shortage we focus on feeding babies well with appropriate substitutes,” said Jennifer Nicklas . the director of the LDH Office of Nutritional Services said in a statement.
“Families should not substitute cow’s milk, goat’s milk or plant-based milk for infant formula, or dilute their formula. Families with questions about other substitutes should consult their pediatrician.’
The department also advises against hoarding baby formula and only keeping a 10-day supply and not making a homemade formula because it lacks the nutrients babies need.