“The Escalade made a left turn, and an 18-year-old woman who was dancing on the roof fell off and onto the pavement,” a Sunday morning statement from police said.
ST. LOUIS — The family of Nyla Simmons said she was supposed to start cosmetology school on Monday. Instead, her family is now planning her funeral.
At about 11:20 p.m. Saturday, Simmons was struck and killed by a firetruck after falling from an SUV at the intersection of S. Compton and Chouteau, near the border of the Midtown and Gate neighborhoods.
Simmons’ family said they’ll remember her vibrant spirit and the bright future that was taken far too soon.
“Nyla was a spectacular individual who loved life, especially her friends,” Nyla’s father, Everett Simmons, said.
A spokesman for the Parkway school district said Simmons was a 2024 graduate of Parkway North and also attended Fern Ridge High School. Simmons was a part of the step team at Parkway North.
Police said the SUV, a Cadillac Escalade, was stopped at a red light at the intersection and Simmons was dancing on the roof. The Escalade then made a left turn, and Simmons lost her balance and fell.
“Moments later, she was struck by a firetruck that was going lights and sirens responding to a call,” police said in a statement.
Nyla’s father told 5 On Your Side that before the crash, she had been attending a friend’s prom party. He described his daughter as someone full of life and ambition.
“She wanted to be an entrepreneur. She loved her dog Dior and her family. She was a shining light in a lot of people’s lives. She will always be missed,” her father said.
The family is still in shock over her sudden loss.
All drivers involved stayed on the scene. When asked if charges could be filed against the SUV’s driver, police said that will be up to the department’s accident reconstruction investigators and the prosecutor’s office.
This story will be updated with the latest information as it becomes available.