Colleagues and supporters have created a GoFundMe for Oluwalayomi Fadero, a U.S.-based Nigerian graduate nurse who died after a wrong-way driver fleeing from police crashed into her vehicle in Nashville, Tennessee.

The crowdfunding was created by her friend, Presley Ann Craig, to help support Ms Fadero’s family. Following the crowdfunding campaign, $17,197 of the $28,000 target had been raised as of the time of filing this report.

Ms Fadero, 23, was killed on Friday after a truck stolen by 52-year-old Ray Eugene Padgett, a parolee with a long criminal history, crashed into her vehicle.

Metro Nashville Police, in a statement on Tuesday, said Mr Padgett stole a Ford F-250 from a North Nashville car lot around 9:30 a.m. on Friday.

Police stated that Mr Padgett drove the stolen truck the wrong way on Murfreesboro Pike at high speed and collided with Ms Fadero’s vehicle as she was turning into a subdivision near Hickory Drive.

Ms Fadero was confirmed dead at the scene.

The deceased was a recent graduate of Fisk University, reportedly pursuing an accelerated nursing programme at another institution before her death.

Fisk University, in a statement, described her death as tragic and heartbreaking.

“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. Counselling resources are available to our campus community through the Office of Student Affairs,” it said.

Former professor, classmates and friends, who also shared tributes about Ms Fadero, described her as kind and loving.

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

“Layo was a beloved member of our nursing cohort who passed suddenly over the weekend,” Monet Nicole, her classmate, stated. “We would carpool to clinicals together, support each other through the stress of nursing school, and talk about our future plans post-graduation. She will be dearly missed.”

Another friend, Samuel O’sesin, said, “Just heard about the passing of brilliant Oluwalomi Fadero, a 23-year-old Fisk University grad, killed by a reckless driver during a police chase here in Nashville, Tennessee. The amazing community here has a GoFundMe to assist her loved ones with funeral costs. Rest well.”

“My dear friend and classmate Layo was tragically killed on 3/20 Friday afternoon in a car accident caused by a felon on the run in Nashville. She brought a special light and joy to me and those around her,” stated Ms Craig.

Meanwhile, police said Mr Padgett, with about 20 felony convictions across several Tennessee counties, was later arrested and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries before being arrested.

Noting that an investigation is ongoing, authorities disclosed that he would face multiple felony charges, including criminally negligent homicide, vehicular homicide by recklessness and driving on a revoked licence, with his bond set at $805,000.