A night of fun turned into an unimaginable tragedy for a St. Louis family after 18-year-old Nyla Simmons was fatally struck by a firetruck while out with friends.
According to First Alert 4, the incident occurred on April 26, 2025. Simmons had climbed onto the roof of a friend’s Cadillac Escalade to dance when she suddenly lost her balance and fell into the street. Moments later, a St. Louis Fire Department truck, reportedly en route to an emergency, struck her before she could get to safety.
Nyla’s parents, Everett and Letrice Simmons, are devastated.
“We aren’t ever going to be the same after this… I’m still in shock right now,” her dad, Everett, told First Alert 4. “We just wanted the best for Nyla. The incident is just tragic—the way she died, that’s what hurts the most.”
Described by her family as “the life of the party,” Nyla was the youngest of five siblings and well-known for her joyful spirit and love of fun.
Despite their grief, her parents say they harbor no anger toward the friends who were with her that night.
“We’ve all been young before,” said her father. “We all have done some type of thing where it could have ended up bad for us.”
Her mother, Letrice, echoed the sentiment, hoping Nyla’s death serves as a cautionary tale.
“We want all her people and her friends to take this and learn from it,” she said. “Don’t get on top of a car, y’all. Just don’t get on top—just be safe.”
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the incident.
No further details about the firetruck’s emergency response or whether any citations were issued have been released.
The Simmons family is urging the public—especially young people—to prioritize safety during social outings.
