IMPD: Drunk driver claimed he was being shot at when he crashed Mazda, caused woman’s death

INDIANAPOLIS — Nakeya Nicole Williams, 46, was killed on July 26 after the Mazda 6 she was a passenger in collided head-on with a tree on the city’s northeast side. Now, the driver of the Mazda is being charged in connection with her death after police discovered he was intoxicated at the time of the crash.

Raymond Smiley of Indianapolis was charged on Wednesday with causing death when operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Level 4 felony; driving while suspended resulting in death, a Level 5 felony; and leaving the scene of the accident, a misdemeanor.

Previous stories detail the July 26 crash that occurred at the intersection of Scarborough Boulevard East Drive and Fairwood Drive at approximately 10 p.m.

Court documents reveal that when officers arrived on scene, Smiley told police he had been fleeing from another vehicle that had been shooting at him. He said this is why he slammed into the tree at high speed— attempting to avoid the gunfire.

Police said no bullet holes were found in the crashed Mazda.

According to court documents, Smiley left the crash scene before officers could get a blood draw. An officer looking for Smiley learned his brother had shown up at the scene and the pair drove away. When police called Smiley, he claimed he was on the way to the hospital.

Williams, meanwhile, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 10:50 p.m. Smiley wasn’t found at the hospital.

Nearly two hours later, police found Smiley at IU Methodist Hospital in the ER. A blood draw was taken and his blood alcohol content was later determined to be .097%, according to court documents.

Investigators at the crash scene also made contact with a witness, according to the documents. This person said Smiley’s Mazda had rear-ended her vehicle not long before the fatal crash. She had been following Smiley, who fled from the hit-and-run, in an attempt to write down his license plate when he crashed into the tree.

Another witness claimed to have seen the Mazda and another vehicle speed by, followed by a second, slower vehicle in pursuit. This same witness came upon the crash shortly afterward and helped provide first aid until first responders arrived. The witness described Smiley as being “dazed and confused” along with being “drowsy and somewhat uncoordinated.”

Police asked this witness if he had heard or seen any gunshots before the crash. The witness told police he recalled hearing a firework or possibly a gunshot, maybe 10-15 minutes before spotting the speeding cars.

In addition to being under the influence at the time of the crash, investigators learned Smiley had a suspended driver’s license due to a prior conviction.