Police in Nashville, Tennessee, have taken a man into custody following a fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of 23-year-old Nigerian graduate Oluwalayomi Fadero.
According to reports by WSMV4, the incident happened last Friday when the suspect, Ray Eugene Padgett, allegedly stole a truck and attempted to flee from law enforcement.
The truck’s owner reportedly tracked the vehicle to a location, prompting Padgett to reverse and strike another vehicle. Authorities then deployed a police helicopter to monitor the situation.
During the attempted escape, Padgett collided with an unmarked police car, initiating a high-speed pursuit.
“The strategy was to monitor the truck until it stopped and have ground units intervene to apprehend the suspect,” said MNPD Public Information Officer Don Aaron.
The chase, which lasted around five minutes, reached speeds of up to 80 miles per hour along Murfreesboro Pike. The pursuit ended near the intersection of Murfreesboro Pike and Hickory Woods Drive, when Padgett drove into oncoming traffic and hit a white sedan driven by Fadero, pushing it about 100 yards into a ditch. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Padgett, who was reportedly on parole at the time, was arrested and taken to hospital. He has been charged with criminal homicide. Police noted that his actions triggered the events that led to Fadero’s death.
Fadero, a Fisk University alumna, has been mourned by classmates and faculty. Alumna Jessica Williams described the tragedy as “heartbreaking,” noting that it occurred close to Fadero’s home.
Professor Janet Walsh remembered Fadero as kind and community-minded, saying, “Her small acts of kindness and dedication to volunteer work made the world a better place. I’m honoured to have known her.”
A makeshift memorial has been established at the crash site along Murfreesboro Pike.
In addition, a GoFundMe account set up to assist her family with burial costs had raised more than $15,000 at the time of filing this report.
