Handcuffed Mom Drowns in Cop Car After Rookie Deputy Crashed into River While Texting – Everything Law and Order Blog

Tabby Smith, a 35-year-old mother of two, had just been detained by Deputy RJ Leonard on February 14 when the deputy accidentally drove his patrol car into the Tennessee River. Deputy Leonard, who graduated from the police academy in December, had just texted his wife about making his first arrest. Smith was found covered in mud and still handcuffed in the submerged vehicle. Deputy Leonard’s body was recovered later outside the car. Law&Crime’s Jesse Weber breaks down the terrifying story with Brookford, North Carolina Police Chief Will Armstrong.

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39 thoughts on “Handcuffed Mom Drowns in Cop Car After Rookie Deputy Crashed into River While Texting”
  1. As someone that lives a block away from where this happened (on the Rhea County side). I knew this would happen sooner than later. I myself almost drove off into the water when we first moved there, luckily my wife is from there and yelled at me to stop. That was in 2002. If I had to guess I would think someone drives into the water regularly because it’s so dark down that road and there is no warning signs. Mix that with an officer on his phone and it’s just horrible.

    I honestly feel bad for both the officer and girl. If I had to guess, the reason the officer was found outside the vehicle is because he was trying to help her. At least I hope he was

  2. Id say the young deputy died ( drown ) trying to get her out of the car. He was found outside the crusier, yes he was trying to get her out, my condolences to both familys, hate to hear this sad story. But especially her handcuffed and not having a chance to try… devastating !! Rest in peace to them both …

  3. I thought this video was a joke fr why are we not talking about the cop literally killing someone from being on his phone like um hello??? “unfortunate circumstances” only cuz he’s a cop this is gross

  4. There's something just not right about the whole event. Id want see the text message to & from wife,,the timeline is at least official. If the cop is on a highway, that is a highway all the way back to the police station, I don't see how you turn down a dirt track & keep going? A local says there's no way with the water level at that time of the season, would have the police car turned upside ..was the cop knocked out without his seat belt on and floats out the open window.? 12 minutes from bridge to water? Where did Leonard live? Cops say he recieved call at home with his wife & 3 kids .if its the bridge side he would be familiar with route to jail, if he lived on the other side of town where he had to pass by the jail, why did he not return the same way? do not in anyway base MY uncertainties as being certain.. Condolences to both the families that suffered LOSS..
    .

  5. I hear I'm talking about how he's a member of the family and their great laws and how he was new to the force that he had become a member of this family but I never once heard them mention the poor woman in the back handcuffed and drowning I mean what does that say about those individuals to me it's just utter garbage that you fail to mention that victim but let me guess she's not in law enforcement her life didn't really matter is that what you're telling us that he is special and she is not that his life was worth more than hers cuz this is just what do you say to something like that I mean I guess he was a rookie cop and it may have been a horrible accident but for the individuals in charge to talk so in depth about the officer how he was new to the force in all of this but fell to mention the poor victim detainee accused however you want to mention her I don't understand it someone help me understand that talk to me that department just showed utter contempt but not even mentioning her you do realize she was the mother of two young children even if she had issues I want to see you go up to that child and tell him for them that their mother is not coming home tonight let you know too bad hey one of our officers died and she's not worth mentioning it just makes me so mad

  6. My question is how did the Patrol car end up in the river? What was he even doing on a boat access road that only goes right into the water? Makes no sense and how did he end up outside the patrol vehicle but drowned? He should of been able to escape once the car was submerged and the water had equal pressure on his door, or roll down the window before the wiring harness shorts out so you could just swim out the window. This tragedy makes no sense at all? That’s also why I believe the doors in the backseat shouldn’t have child locks engaged and be handcuffed from the front so you have a fighting chance in any situation if the cop becomes disabled at any point.

  7. We have a similar style boat ramp in Kings Park and for years it was just straight in line with a road (road ended going straight into the boat ramp) and we have had numerous accidents where someone (usually at night) would accidentally go straight into the water and since the road was down hill and kinda off the main roads it was understandable that people could make such a mistake. Finally they but in barriers that would stop a car at where the road ended and made it so you had to drive around the barrier to get to the boat ramp. Haven't had any accidents since.

  8. why focus so much on the cop like he isnt the reason for the death of this woman? he sealed his fate when he decided to break the law by texting and driving and its a shame he had to take someone with him and couldn't have done it when he was alone in the car. RIP to the woman.

  9. What the honest F**K? I’m so disgusted they kept calling that poor woman “the suspect” instead of by her NAME! This is common when you try to dehumanize a victim. That cop killed her in an absolutely traumatic way and her children are going to be in agony when they learn what their mom’s last minutes must have been like! I feel ill just thinking about her manner of death and I’m a stranger, can’t imagine what her family is experiencing. He is 100% her killer.

  10. It's worse that a cop may have killed someone they were responsible for while texting and driving. But we don't know what actually happened except something tragic. The woman's family should look into it.

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