Family of New Orleans teen critically injured after car crashed into home seeks justice
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — One day after a New Orleans teenager was critically injured when an SUV crashed into his bedroom, people are coming forward to show their support.
Jamal Jackson, Jr., a 15-year-old who attends Edna Karr High School, remains hospitalized.
The family describes Jamal as a bright, humble and respectful teenager.
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Jamal’s family members passed by the home where he lives on Monday afternoon between visits to the hospital.
The house, located off Chef Menteur Highway in New Orleans East, is now boarded up, but remnants of a fence remain on the ground where a driver crashed his SUV into the fence before plowing into Jamal’s bedroom where he was sleeping around 4 a.m. Sunday.
“He is still critical,” said Liwanda Jackson-Lewis, Jamal’s grandmother. “He is fighting.”
Earlier in the day Monday, a woman whose bus stop is located near Jamal’s home says she felt compelled to stop by and leave Jamal’s mother a note.
“I just told her that, you know, if she needs someone to talk to, I know I’m a perfect stranger, but I’m here if she would like to talk,” the woman said. “I just say a prayer for her son for healing.”
The New Orleans Police Department identified the driver as 53-year-old Cedric Marshall and arrested him at the scene.
Marshall is facing first-degree vehicular negligent injury and reckless operation charges.
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“He was in his safe haven. He was at home, and tragedy struck him while he was at home,” the woman said. “So, you know, we pray for our kids while they’re out, but danger still comes to the home as well.”
Investigators say Marshall failed a field sobriety test, which Jamal’s family says is both unacceptable and preventable.
“Our family is just asking for prayers,” Jackson-Lewis said. “Our family is just asking for those who have family members and for those who know people who drunk their drinks and become intoxicated, if they can’t help themselves, get help.”
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