US-based Nigerian graduate Oluwalayomi “Layo” Fadero killed after fleeing driver hits her vehicle in Nashville, Tennessee
On Friday, March 20, 2026, 23-year-old US-based Nigerian graduate Oluwalayomi Fadero, known as Layo, was tragically killed in Nashville after a fleeing driver collided with her vehicle.
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Authorities reported that the suspect, Ray Eugene Padgett, drove into oncoming traffic while attempting to evade police, striking Fadero’s car on the driver’s side.
The impact sent her vehicle about 100 yards into a ditch, killing her instantly.
Metro Nashville Police disclosed the crash followed a series of incidents earlier in the day, including the theft of a Ford F-250 truck in North Nashville.
Padgett reportedly rammed another vehicle and an unmarked police SUV before the high-speed chase, which reached speeds of up to 80 miles per hour.
Padgett, 52, was arrested and hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries before being taken into custody.
He now faces multiple felony charges, including criminally negligent homicide, vehicular homicide by recklessness, attempted criminal homicide, and reckless endangerment.
Police confirmed he was on parole at the time and has over 20 prior convictions across five Tennessee counties.
Fadero had recently graduated from Fisk University and was pursuing an accelerated nursing programme.
Her former professor, Janet Walsh, described her as “one of the most compassionate and kindest of people that you would’ve ever met.”
A makeshift memorial has been set up at the crash site, and counselling support is being provided to students and the university community.
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Supporters have also raised over $13,000 to assist with funeral expenses as family and friends continue to mourn her untimely death.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
