An Oklahoma teen tumbled out of a pal’s moving car onto the interstate and was fatally run over by several vehicles during a late-night joyride over the weekend.
Lani Hicks, an 18-year-old college student, had been dangling out the window of the car when she lost her grip and fell onto I-35, near the 50-mile marker just before midnight Saturday, KTEN reported.
Hicks was partially outside of the car window when she toppled onto the roadway, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol told the outlet.
She was struck by multiple cars after landing on the roadway’s northbound lanes and was later pronounced dead, OHP added.
The car was packed with five other passengers and driven by Hicks’ 19-year-old hometown friend. Only one other passenger was injured in the chaos, the outlet reported.
Investigators determined that not all passengers had been wearing their seatbelts.
The incident is still under investigation.
A spokesperson for the OHP told the Daily Mail that they have “no evidence to suggest that drugs or alcohol played a role in this tragic incident” and are not planning to pursue criminal charges.
“Our hearts go out to Lani’s family during this incredibly difficult time, and they remain in our thoughts and prayers as this investigation concludes,” the spokesperson added.
Hicks was from Ardmore, Oklahoma, and was a student at Eckerd College, a liberal arts college in St. Petersburg, Florida, according to her social media accounts. She was set to graduate in 2028.
A GoFundMe organized for the teen’s grieving family inched over $10,000 in donations Monday evening.
“At just 18 years old, Lani had a vibrant personality and brought joy to everyone around her. Her sudden passing has left her family and friends heartbroken, and the loss is felt deeply throughout the community,” the organizer wrote.
The friend who was behind the wheel during the harrowing mishap pledged $500 — and currently holds the top spot out of 106 donations.
Hicks is survived by her parents and her sister.
