Ray Eugene Padgett, 52, has been charged with criminally negligent homicide, vehicular homicide by recklessness, and several other charges after a deadly crash on Murfreesboro Pike in Nashville, Tennessee.
The crash, which killed 23-year-old Oluwalayomi Fadero, came after Padgett allegedly stole a Ford F-250 pickup truck and led police on a high-speed chase.
The Incident
According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, the chain of events began on Friday morning when Padgett, who was out on parole, allegedly stole the truck from a car lot in Nashville.
The owner of the lot tracked the truck and followed Padgett to an alley off St. Louis Street, where Padgett rammed the car lot owner’s vehicle before fleeing.
The police became aware of the theft and dispatched a plainclothes detective in an unmarked SUV to track the suspect. During the chase, Padgett rammed the detective’s vehicle, leading to an attempted criminal homicide charge. Despite this, Padgett continued his flight from police.
The Fatal Crash
The pursuit continued down Murfreesboro Pike, with Padgett reportedly reaching speeds of up to 80 mph. Around 5 minutes later, Oluwalayomi Fadero, who was driving a Hyundai Elantra, attempted to turn off Murfreesboro Pike onto Hickory Woods Drive when Padgett, driving on the wrong side of the road, violently struck the driver’s side of her car.
The impact sent both vehicles careening into a ditch, about 100 yards away from the point of collision.
Victim’s Background
Fadero, a University of Tennessee at Chattanooga nursing student, died from injuries sustained in the crash. According to a GoFundMe set up for her, Fadero was on her way home, with her dog, Nala, in the car. Miraculously, Nala survived the crash and was reunited with Fadero’s family.
Fadero was known for her kindness, bright spirit, and the love she shared with her family, friends, and Nala. She was set to complete her nursing degree in August 2024. The loss has left a deep void in the hearts of those who knew her.
Padgett’s Arrest and Criminal History
Padgett was taken to a hospital for minor injuries after the crash. Following his release, he was arrested on Saturday and is currently being held on a $805,000 bond. The police reported that Padgett had at least 20 criminal convictions across five Tennessee counties prior to the crash.
Legal Consequences
Padgett faces multiple serious charges related to the death of Fadero, including criminally negligent homicide, vehicular homicide by recklessness, felony reckless endangerment, and attempted criminal homicide.
His actions, which led to the tragic death of a young woman with a bright future, have sparked widespread grief and outrage.
