Memphis police vehicle responding to a call allegedly slams into a car at intersection, leaving 5 dead
A tragic loss.
A preliminary crash report, released four days after a devastating collision involving a Memphis Police Department vehicle, has left grieving families with few of the answers they desperately seek. According to Fox13 Memphis, Ranaiya McNeal, whose brother Rodney McNeal Jr., 20, was among the five young people killed, expressed profound disappointment. “Four days for that? It gave us nothing,” she told reporters.
This tragic incident unfolded early on October 11, 2026, when a Memphis police vehicle, responding to an emergency call, collided with a car carrying six people. The crash occurred shortly after 12:25 a.m. at the intersection of Hickory Hill and East Raines roads.
Memphis Commercial Appeal stated that officers Kendric Foster II, the driver, and Nikkia Booth, the passenger, were driving a 2025 Ford Explorer westbound along East Raines Road. The other car, a 2026 Toyota Corolla, was driving southbound along Hickory Hill Road.
Surveillance footage from a nearby gas station captured the moments before the impact
The video shows the police vehicle approaching the intersection with its emergency lights and siren activated. Several vehicles were stopped at a red light. Another vehicle then appears to proceed through the intersection. The two vehicles tragically collided. Four occupants in the civilian vehicle died at the scene. A fifth victim died later at an area hospital.
A sixth passenger remains in critical condition and faces a long recovery. Medical staff treated both responding officers for their injuries. They were released the next day.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into this collision. This is standard procedure when a serious crash involves Memphis police officers. Investigators are meticulously examining the circumstances surrounding the collision, including the vehicle’s speed and whether the officer attempted to brake before entering the intersection.
“I feel the investigation is taking too long, period,” Ranaiya McNeal stated. She emphasized the importance of obtaining footage and learning exactly what happened. “To get the footage and the answers that we’re asking, it will give us some type of peace,” she explained, “To know that my baby wasn’t wrong.”
The investigation is looking into crucial factors
Mike Collins, a retired Shelby County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant, told ABC24 that investigators need to determine the police vehicle’s speed as it entered the intersection. They also must ascertain if the officer applied the brakes before reaching the crossing. “Did they attempt to brake when they entered the intersection?” Collins asked. “I think those are some of the most important dynamics as it relates to that investigation.”
Collins acknowledged that officers responding to emergencies often need to move quickly. However, he stressed that their response still requires careful attention to the safety of other people on the road. He also urged drivers to remain alert when approaching intersections.
Drivers may not always notice or hear an emergency vehicle in time. “Operate with the assumption that the police officers are going to pass through that intersection going 100 mph,” Collins advised. “Just make sure you check the intersection before you proceed through it. Make sure you obey the rules of the road.”
Authorities have identified four of the five civilians killed
They are Messiah Lee, 20, Rodney McNeal, 20, Syria Fifer, 21, and Carlesha Fifer, 19. Syria and Carlesha were cousins. The fifth victim is a minor teen girl. The preliminary report listed a 17-year-old juvenile from Mississippi among the deceased.
The only survivor from the Corolla is 19-year-old Laterrius Mathis Jr., who is Ranaiya McNeal’s cousin. Mathis has undergone multiple emergency surgeries. Despite the severity of his injuries, the family is seeing signs of progress. “He’s doing better,” Ranaiya said, adding, “He’s opening his eyes. He’s lifting a little bit but he has a long way to go.”
Cory Robinson, Rodney McNeal’s former football coach at Hamilton High School, remembered him fondly. According to Atlanta Black Star, Robinson described McNeal as a young man whose personality made a lasting impression. “Watching him grow up, he became the typical teenager, doing the typical teenage things,” Robinson said. “But one thing about Lil Rodney, he was always in good spirits, smiling and laughing. He could make just anyone laugh.”
Syria Fifer’s family also shared a heartfelt tribute. In a statement accompanying a GoFundMe campaign, relatives described her as a warm and impactful person. “Syria was truly a beautiful soul whose light touched the hearts of everyone fortunate enough to know her,” the family wrote. They added that her smile could brighten even the most difficult days.
Carlesha Fifer’s mother, Shoneke Williams, remembered her daughter for her humor and energy. Williams said that Carlesha was “one of the funniest, happiest, goofiest kids you would know.” She also noted Carlesha spoke her mind. Her daughter enjoyed expressing herself through her hair, nails, and shoes. Carlesha had been preparing to celebrate her 20th birthday next month.
The deaths have left families grieving and residents searching for answers
Hickory Hill resident Denise Scott, who lost a son decades ago, expressed deep sympathy. “It’s where I lost a son. It’s 20, 25 years ago, so I most definitely know what they are going through,” Scott shared. “And for the grieving parents, just take it day by day.”
Mayor Paul Young reached out to the families of those killed and others affected. “Five young people lost their lives last night, and their families, along with the families of others involved, are facing unimaginable grief today,” Young said. He asked Memphis residents to keep the families in their thoughts.
A makeshift memorial appeared at the crash site on Monday. Hundreds of people also attended a vigil for McNeal that evening. Mourners shared words of encouragement and released balloons. Additional memorial gatherings are planned for the other victims.
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