A parolee with an extensive criminal background is now facing numerous homicide charges following a wrong-way collision that tragically killed a 23-year-old Nigerian woman named Oluwalayomi Fadero in Nashville, Tennessee.
At the time of her death, Fadero had recently completed her degree and was engaged in an accelerated nursing program at a different institution.
Authorities reported that events unfolded around 9:30 a.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026, when 52-year-old Ray Eugene Padgett allegedly stole a Ford truck from an automotive lot in North Nashville.
The owner of the vehicle informed law enforcement that the truck had a tracking device, leading police to initiate a monitoring operation.
By approximately 12:10 p.m., the vehicle's owner had tracked the truck to an alley off St. Louis Street.
Reports indicate that Padgett put the truck in reverse and knocked into the owner’s car before fleeing the scene.
Using that information, police began tracking Padgett in Madison with unmarked vehicles.
However, the situation escalated rapidly when Padgett drove into an unmarked police SUV occupied by a plainclothes detective at the junction of Murfreesboro Pike and Old Murfreesboro Pike, close to Nashville International Airport.
The officer was forced to exit and run for safety, prompting a pursuit.
Approximately five minutes later, Padgett drove against the flow of traffic on Murfreesboro Pike, reaching speeds nearly up to 80 mph as he headed toward La Vergne.
It was during this moment that he collided with the driver’s side of a Hyundai Elantra, with Fadero inside as she was turning onto Hickory Woods Drive after leaving work. She sustained fatal injuries in the crash.
Police spokesperson Don Aaron disclosed in a press briefing that Padgett has around 20 prior convictions, adding, "He continues to be on parole, and it is while on parole that he stole the truck and set off this tragic sequence of events that led to the death of an innocent Nashville woman who was simply returning home."
Investigators noted that Padgett has a history of at least 20 convictions spanning five counties in Tennessee, which include cases of burglary, auto theft, and numerous theft offenses.
The last arrest of Padgett in Nashville was in 2023 for a parole violation, after which he was released.
On Friday evening, Padgett was reported to be hospitalized due to injuries sustained in the crash and was expected to be booked into jail upon his discharge.
By Saturday, March 21, the Metro Nashville Police Department announced that Padgett, after being treated for minor injuries, had been discharged from the hospital and was immediately taken into custody.
He is currently being held at the Downtown Detention Center, with a bond set at $805,000 for charges including criminally negligent homicide, vehicular homicide by recklessness, felony reckless endangerment, attempted criminal homicide, and driving with a revoked license.
More charges pertaining to the vehicle theft and the incident involving the owner of the stolen truck are anticipated.
Meanwhile, Fisk University identified Fadero as one of their alumni. In a statement, they expressed their sorrow at her unexpected passing, saying, "The Fisk University community is heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of Oluwalayomi Fadero, a recent graduate of the university. Our hearts and prayers are with the Fadero family during this incredibly difficult time. Counseling resources are available to our campus community through the Office of Student Affairs."
Former professor Janet Walsh remembered her as "one of the kindest and most compassionate people you would ever meet."
Following the incident, a memorial has been set up at the crash site, with counseling support offered to students and university members.
Additionally, a fundraiser initiated by supporters has successfully raised over $13,000 to aid in covering funeral costs, as loved ones continue to grieve her untimely demise.
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