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Police: Suspect in fatal Memphis crash said he smoked pot after learning of Kobe Bryant’s death

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man is in a Tennessee jail and two people are dead after a head-on crash in Memphis, police said. The man told police he was upset after hearing about the death of NBA icon Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash Sunday with his daughter, six other passengers and the pilot.

According to Shelby County court records, the Memphis Police Department said Charles Jones took a left-hand turn at a red light and slammed into another vehicle head-on in the middle of the street.

Both victims were rushed to an area hospital but were pronounced head, WHBQ reported.

Jones was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, driving under the influence and reckless driving.

Police said Jones told them he “had smoked some weed earlier due to being upset over Kobe Bryant’s passing away.” He also said he was speeding, passed the Walgreens entrance and tried to beat the traffic at the intersection, police said.

Police watched surveillance footage they said showed Jones crashing into the victims’ car, according to court records.