Nikita Nakal, a 23-year-old student from India, was among four people killed in the crash at Oklahoma State University’s homecoming. (Facebook)
A college student from India was among four people killed when a car crashed into a crowd watching the homecoming parade at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater on Saturday.
Nikita Prabhakar Nakal, 23, a graduate student at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmund, died in the crash, police and her school said.
A retired Oklahoma State professor and his wife, Marvin and Bonnie Stone, and 2-year-old Nash Lucas, the son of an OSU student, also died in the crash. Dozens of others, including several children, were injured. Four remained in critical condition on Sunday.
Nakal’s first name was spelled Nakita in the Stillwater Police press release, but according to the University of Central Oklahoma and her Facebook page, it is spelled Nikita.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. She Was Originally From Mumbai & Moved to the United States in July
(Facebook)
Nikita Nakal was originally from Mumbai, India, police said. According to her Facebook page, she moved to the United States in late July to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Central Oklahoma.
“New home it is!! missing amchi Mumbai already,” Nakal wrote in a post on July 22 from the Dallas-Fort Worth airport, on her way to Oklahoma City.
2. She Was Pursuing Her Master’s Degree in Business at Central Oklahoma
(Facebook)
Nakal was pursuing her master’s degree in business administration, according to the University of Central Oklahoma.
UCO President Don Betz said in a statement:
While our thoughts and prayers are with the Oklahoma State University community tonight following the tragic events during OSU’s homecoming parade this morning, it is with deep sadness that I ask you to extend those sentiments to the family and friends of one of our own students.
Nikita Nakal of Mumbai, India, an MBA student at UCO, was among those who died.
Our students come to Central with their unique goals, hopes and dreams, and Nikita was undoubtedly no different. While we mourn the potential unrealized, let us also honor her life by pulling closer and appreciating the strength of our Broncho family.
It is incredibly difficult to face the death of a close friend or family member. I urge anyone who may need support to contact the Center for Counseling and Well-Being at 405-974-2215 or visit their office on the fourth floor of the Nigh University Center.
As plans are made to honor Nikita, we will share the information with the campus community.
3. She Was Attending the Oklahoma State Homecoming Parade With Friends
(Facebook)
Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis said Nakal was at the homecoming parade with friends. The “Sea of Orange” homecoming parade and game annually draw more than 80,000 to Stillwater.
The parade, featuring floats and high school marching bands, makes its way down Main Street in Stillwater near Boone Pickens Stadium and is known as “America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration.”
4. The Car Careened Into the Parade Spectators After Hitting a Police Motorcycle
A wrecked police motorcycle lays on the scene after a suspected drunk driver crashed into a crowd of spectators during the Oklahoma State University homecoming parade near the Boone Pickens Stadium.(Getty)
Police and witnesses say the Hyundai sedan driven by 25-year-old Adacia Chambers crashed into an unoccupied police motorcycle before hitting the crowd.
“All I remember is a gush of wind, and then the sound. Leo, who was standing next to me, wasn’t standing next to me. He was off to the side,” said Mark McNitt, who was standing beside his stepfather, Leo Schmitz, who was injured in the crash. McNitt told reporters the crash was like a bomb going off.
At the scene, multiple helicopters were used to airlift victims to Stillwater Medical Center. Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the recovery process. The accident occurred at the corner of Hall of Fame and Main Street, a very populated area just two blocks from the football stadium.
Four adults remain in critical condition, police said Sunday. Six children and six adults were also still hospitalized Sunday, with their conditions ranging from good to fair, according to the Stillwater Police. Thirty other victims, including five children, were treated and released by Sunday.
5. The Driver Is in Police Custody on Suspicion of Driving Under the Influence
The driver accused in the crash, Adacia Chambers, 25, is in police custody. (Stillwater Police)
Adacia Chambers, the 25-year-old driver, was taken into custody after the crash and is being held at the Stillwater jail on suspicion of driving under the influence, police said.
Chambers, a Stillwater resident who works at a local fast food restaurant, is a native of Oologah, Oklahoma, about 100 miles from Stillwater.
She is expected to appear in court for the first time on Monday. It is not yet known if she will face additional charges.
Read more about Chambers at the link below:
