23-year-old Nigerian graduate killed in US

A 23-year-old Nigerian graduate living in the United States, Oluwalayomi “Layo” Fadero, has lost her life after a suspect fleeing police drove against traffic and collided with her car in Nashville.

Local outlet WSMV Nashville reported on Tuesday that the fatal incident happened last Friday. The suspect, identified as Ray Eugene Padgett, allegedly entered oncoming lanes while attempting to escape law enforcement.

Fadero, who had recently graduated from Fisk University, was said to be heading into her neighbourhood along Murfreesboro Pike when the suspect’s vehicle slammed into the driver’s side of her car, killing her instantly.

According to Metro Nashville Police, the crash was the culmination of earlier events that day, starting with the reported theft of a Ford F-250 truck from a dealership in North Nashville. Authorities said the suspect struck the vehicle owner’s car while fleeing and later crashed into an unmarked police SUV, prompting a chase that lasted about five minutes and reached speeds of roughly 80 miles per hour.

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

The force of the collision reportedly pushed Fadero’s vehicle nearly 100 yards into a ditch, where emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene. Officials emphasised that she was an innocent driver with no link to the pursuit.

Padgett, 52, was eventually apprehended and taken to hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening before being transferred into custody.

Police said he is facing multiple felony charges, including criminally negligent homicide, vehicular homicide by recklessness, attempted criminal homicide, and reckless endangerment.

Authorities also revealed that the suspect was on parole at the time and had accumulated at least 20 previous convictions across five counties in Tennessee.

Fadero had recently earned her degree and was enrolled in an accelerated nursing programme at another institution prior to her death

She was one of the most compassionate and kindest of people that you would’ve ever met,” her former professor, Janet Walsh, said.

Another alumna, Jessica Williams, described her death as “heartbreaking,” noting that she was killed close to her residence.

In the aftermath, a fundraiser set up by supporters has generated more than $13,000 to help cover funeral costs, as loved ones continue to grieve her sudden passing.

Culled from vanguard