By Matt Kyle | Assistant News Editor, Ana Ruiz Brictson | News Editor
Updated Sept. 19
The Baylor student charged with intoxication manslaughter after a fatal accident early Saturday morning is out of jail on a $40,000 bond, according to a McLennan County jail spokesperson.
Frisco sophomore Norman Nyamandi was the driver of the car that crashed into a parked truck and a tree before rolling over on the 3100 block of S. Third Street around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Waco Police said a female passenger was ejected from the car and declared dead at the scene. She was also a Baylor student, and the Lariat is respecting her family’s request that her name not be released.
Waco PD said a judge signed a warrant for Nyamandi’s blood to be drawn at a local hospital early Saturday to check blood alcohol content. He was charged with intoxication manslaughter a short time later.
Baylor spokesperson Lori Fogleman said the university was notified early Saturday morning about the accident and arrest.
“Our hearts are broken at a death of a student,” Fogleman said. “We have spoken with the family of the deceased student but are unable to share the name of the student at the family’s request. Our steadfast prayers remain with them.”
Fogleman also said, “Baylor is offering support through our chaplains and other resources for roommates, classmates, faculty and others who have been impacted by this tragic loss.”
According to a Waco Police press release, Nyamandi was driving at a high rate of speed and lost control of his vehicle, hitting an unoccupied car parked in a driveway.
Waco resident Pauline Cervantes said her truck was the one hit in the crash, which she said likely totaled the vehicle. She said the impact of the crash knocked the truck sideways 90 degrees.
Cervantes said she was woken up by the crash and came outside to see the car had taken out a couple mailboxes on her street, crashed into her truck, knocked down a tree and landed in her neighbor’s yard.
Waco resident Adrian Vega said the crash woke him up as well. He said the car landed in his yard, tearing up the grass and leaving a small crater in the dirt. He said the totaled Camaro and the police were on his property until around 7 a.m.
“It was around 2:20 to 2:25 in the morning,” Vega said. “I was asleep. First thing I saw when I looked out the window was the car. Then I saw the body.”
Both Vega and Cervantes said this isn’t the first crash they have witnessed on their street. The stretch of Third Street where the wreck happened is next to the intersection with Garden Drive, which Vega said has a dip in the road, which he theorized caused the speeding car to lose control and crash early Saturday morning.
Cervantes said a previous crash also ended up in her yard.
“There was a wreck a couple of years ago,” Cervantes said. “It was another Baylor student. They actually quite frequently have wrecks right here. This is the first time though there’s actually been a fatality.”
Marshall sophomore Spencer Hammack said he was woken up by the lights and sirens from police cars. He said he walked outside and saw the crash and some of his neighbors trying to help.
“I could see the car, and it did not look good,” Hammack said. “It was pretty smashed up.”
Hammack said something like this happening so close to his home was scary.
“The guy was a Baylor student, and it happened right next to my house, which is kind of freaky,” Hammack said.
The Lariat will provide more information on the arrest as it becomes available.
