Nash Lucas. (GoFundMe)
A 2-year-old boy was among four killed when a car crashed into a crowd watching the Oklahoma State University homecoming parade Saturday in Stillwater.
Nash Lucas was identified as one of the victims by his family. Nash was at the parade with his mother, Nicolette Strauch, of Weatherford, Oklahoma.
A retired Oklahoma State professor Marvin Stone, and his wife, Bonnie Stone, a longtime university employee were also killed, along with 23-year-old Nikita Nakal, a graduate student from India.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. His Mother Is a Student & Employee at Oklahoma State
Nash with his mother, Nicolette Strauch. (Twitter)
Nash Lucas’ mother, Nicolette Strauch, is a student at Oklahoma State University works in the Parking and Transit Services department there. She was also injured in the crash. Strauch, 20, was treated at the hospital and released Saturday, Stillwater Police said.
She is a sophomore majoring in chemical engineering. His father, Josh Lucas, is also from Weatherford and runs a digital marketing company.
Nash Lucas attended Super Kids Learning Center in Stillwater, the child care center said on Facebook.
“The staff and I are in disbelief that we will never get to see his cute little smile or his bright red hair ever again,” the post said.
2. A GoFundMe Account Has Been Set Up to Help Nash’s Family
A co-worker of Nash Lucas’ mother set up a GoFundMe account to help his family with funeral costs and to pay for medical costs for his mother.
“Tragically, Nicolette’s joyful, young son – Nash Lucas was among those whose lives were lost. Nicolette is also recovering from an injury,” Megan Horton wrote on the page. “This page was created to support Nicolette in her time of need and provide the financial resources she will need to plan Nash’s memorial service and pay medical bills.”
The fund had raised more than $24,000 by Sunday night.
3. He Was Among 12 Children Injured in the Crash
(Facebook)
Nash was among 12 children injured in the crash. Six of the other juvenile victims, whose names have not been released, were still hospitalized on Sunday, with their conditions ranging from good to fair. Five children were released from the hospital on Sunday.
Four adults remain in critical condition, along with six other adults still hospitalized in fair to good condition, police said. Twenty-five other adults, including Nash’s mother have been treated and released.
The annual homecoming parade draws thousands to Main Street in Stillwater to watch the parade before the football game each year.
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.
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 and four counts of second-degree murder, 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.
Read more about Chambers at the link below:
