The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) has arrested a driver linked to a fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of Nigerian graduate Oluwalayomi Fadero.
According to a report by WSMV4 obtained on Tuesday, the incident occurred last Friday after the suspect, Ray Eugene Padgett, allegedly stole a vehicle and fled the scene. The truck’s owner tracked the vehicle, prompting Padgett to reverse and ram into a car behind him.
Police deployed a helicopter to monitor the situation, but the suspect allegedly collided with an unmarked police car, sparking a high-speed chase that reached speeds of up to 80 miles per hour along Murfreesboro Pike toward the county line.
“The intention at that point is to keep an eye on the truck until it finally stops, have ground units move in, and take the man into custody,” MNPD Public Information Officer Don Aaron said.
The pursuit ended around 2:30 p.m. when Padgett drove into oncoming traffic near Murfreesboro Pike and Hickory Woods Drive, crashing into a white sedan driven by Fadero and pushing it about 100 yards into a ditch. The 23-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
Padgett, who was on parole at the time, was arrested and taken to hospital. He has been charged with criminal homicide.
“We believe that he was on parole when he stole the truck and set off the chain of events that claimed the life of an innocent Nashville woman who was returning home,” police said.
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The death of Fadero, a graduate of Fisk University, has drawn condolences from alumni and faculty. “It’s heartbreaking to know she was near her home and close to where she lived,” Fisk alumna Jessica Williams said.
Her former professor, Janet Walsh, described Fadero as kind and compassionate, highlighting her dedication to volunteer work. “These small acts of kindness and consideration truly make the world a better place. I’m honoured to have known her and witnessed her sense of global citizenship,” Walsh said.
A makeshift memorial has been set up at the crash site along Murfreesboro Pike, and a GoFundMe account established to assist her family with burial expenses had raised over $15,000 at the time of reporting.