When Nyla Simmons and her friends went out to celebrate on April 26, 2025, no one knew it would be their last night together. While driving in Midtown St. Louis, Missouri, Nyla reportedly climbed on top of a Cadillac Escalade. She was dancing on the SUV when a tragic accident occurred. The vehicle turned left at a stop light, and Nyla fell off. Moments later, a fire truck responding to an emergency call struck and killed the 18-year-old. Now, her family hopes others will learn from Nyla’s mistake.
According to a statement from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, “A preliminary investigation revealed that a Cadillac Escalade was stopped at a red light on the corner of Chouteau and South Compton. The Escalade made a left turn and an 18-year-old woman who was dancing on the roof, fell off and onto the pavement. Moments later, she was struck by a fire truck who was going lights and sirens responding to a call.”
Nyla’s parents, Everett and Letrice Simmons, told KMOV the news of their daughter’s death shocked them. Nyla had graduated from Parkway North High School last year and enrolled at Grabber School of Hair Design. She planned to start classes on April 28.
Her parents said Nyla was attending a friend’s prom send-off when the accident occurred.
“We just wanted the best for Nyla, the incident is just tragic the way she died but, that’s what hurts the most, the way she died. Nyla was out having fun, that’s what she liked: having fun, hanging out with her friends,” Letrice Simmons said.
Her father told KMOV the news has devastated him. “I’m highly distraught that I don’t get to see what she was going to become,” he said.
Everett and Letrice Simmons said they don’t blame anyone for Nyla’s death. They believe she and her friends just wanted to have some fun but didn’t consider the dangers involved.
“We want all her people and her friends to take this and learn from it,” Everett Simmons said, per KMOV.
Letrice Simmons echoed her husband’s warning, “Don’t get on top of a car, ya’ll, just don’t get on top, just be safe.”
While in high school, Nyla spent time on the Parkway District Step Team. “Throwback….in memory of Nyla Simmons. Nyla, a former memberr of our step team was a force of talent that shine bright, with every step routine,” its post on Facebook reads. “You could always count on Nyla for a good laugh. Not only was she a talented Stepper, but she was also witty and comical. This news is devastating to us, but we all feel blessed to have known her and to share the stage with her. May your light continue to shine bright in heaven Nyla aka Minnie Mouse.”
According to Fox 2, all vehicles and drivers stayed at the scene of the accident and cooperated with police. A staff member at St. Louis University’s Casa de Salud told the news station that accidents are not uncommon at the intersection and that he knows of at least two that occurred in the last month. This was the first he’d heard of a fatality. The accident remains under investigation.
