The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department in the United States has detained a driver in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that resulted in the death of Nigerian graduate Oluwalayomi Fadero. According to local outlet WSMV4, the incident happened on Friday after the suspect, Ray Eugene Padgett, allegedly stole a vehicle and fled the scene. The truck’s owner reportedly tracked the vehicle’s location, and when the suspect realized he was being followed, he reversed and struck another car behind him.
Police deployed a helicopter to track the vehicle from the air. During the escape attempt, the suspect allegedly crashed into an unmarked patrol car, prompting officers to initiate a high-speed pursuit. MNPD Public Information Officer Don Aaron explained that authorities aimed to monitor the vehicle until it stopped so ground officers could safely make an arrest.
The chase lasted roughly five minutes, with speeds reaching about 80 miles per hour along Murfreesboro Pike toward the county boundary. It ended around 2:30 p.m. when the suspect drove into oncoming traffic close to the junction of Murfreesboro Pike and Hickory Woods Drive. Officers said the suspect collided with a white sedan driven by the 23-year-old victim, forcing the car nearly 100 yards into a roadside ditch. She was confirmed dead at the scene.The suspect was later apprehended and transported to a hospital. He is facing a charge of criminal homicide, and authorities noted he was on parole when the incident occurred. Police added that the alleged vehicle theft triggered the sequence of events that led to the fatal crash.
Students and alumni of Fisk University, the institution where Fadero earned her degree, have expressed grief over her passing. A former student, Jessica Williams, said it was devastating to learn the victim was close to home at the time of the crash. Her former lecturer, Janet Walsh, remembered her as warm and compassionate, highlighting her dedication to volunteer service and community impact. A temporary memorial has been placed near the crash location on Murfreesboro Pike. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe fundraiser launched to assist the family with burial costs had surpassed $15,000 at the time of reporting.
Source: https://punchng.com/
