23-year-old Nigerian killed in US by driver fleeing from police

A 23-year-old Nigerian graduate based in the United States (U.S), Oluwalayomi Fadero, on Friday, March 20, was killed after a wrong-way driver fleeing from police crashed into her vehicle in Nashville, Tennessee.

The incident occurred when the suspect, identified as Ray Eugene Padgett, drove into oncoming traffic while attempting to evade arrest.

Fadero, a recent graduate of Fisk University, was heading into her neighbourhood along Murfreesboro Pike when the suspect’s vehicle struck her car on the driver’s side, killing her on the spot.

Metropolitan Nashville Police Department confirmed that the crash followed a series of incidents earlier in the day, starting with the theft of a Ford F-250 truck from a car lot in North Nashville.

Investigators said the suspect rammed the vehicle owner’s car while fleeing, later collided with an unmarked police SUV, and triggered a pursuit that lasted about five minutes, reaching speeds of approximately 80 miles per hour.

“At about 2:30 p.m., the suspect drove into oncoming traffic and struck the victim’s vehicle,” police said.

The impact pushed Fadero’s car about 100 yards into a ditch, where emergency responders confirmed her death at the scene.

Authorities emphasised that she was an uninvolved motorist with no connection to the chase.

The 52-year-old, Padgett, was arrested after being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a hospital.

He faces multiple felony charges, including criminally negligent homicide, vehicular homicide by recklessness, attempted criminal homicide, and reckless endangerment.

Authorities also noted that he was on parole at the time and had at least 20 prior convictions across five Tennessee counties.

Fadero had recently completed her degree and was enrolled in an accelerated nursing programme at another institution.

A makeshift memorial has been set up at the crash site, and counselling support has been made available to students and members of the university community.

A fundraiser organised by supporters has raised over $13,000 to assist with funeral expenses, as family and friends continue to mourn her sudden death.