Young Nigerian immigrant with American degree fatally struck by hit-and-run motorist

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A 23-year-old Nigerian graduate based in the United States, Oluwalayomi “Layo” Fadero, has been killed after a wrong-way driver fleeing from police crashed into her vehicle in Nashville, Tennessee.

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According to WSMV Nashville on Tuesday, the incident occurred last Friday when the suspect, identified as Ray Eugene Padgett, allegedly drove into oncoming traffic while attempting to evade arrest.

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Fadero, a recent graduate of Fisk University, was reportedly 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.

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

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Investigators said the suspect rammed the vehicle owner’s car while fleeing the scene before later crashing into an unmarked police SUV, triggering a pursuit that lasted about five minutes and reached speeds of approximately 80 miles per hour.

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

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The impact reportedly forced Fadero’s car about 100 yards into a ditch, with emergency responders confirming her dead at the scene.

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Authorities described her as an uninvolved motorist who had no connection to the chase.

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Padgett, 52, was later arrested and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries before being taken into custody.

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

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Authorities also disclosed that the suspect was on parole at the time of the incident and had at least 20 prior convictions across five counties in Tennessee.

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Fadero was said to have recently completed her degree and was pursuing an accelerated nursing programme at another institution before her death.

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

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

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

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Meanwhile, 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.

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Police said investigations into the crash and the events leading up to it are ongoing.

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