Two teenagers were apprehended on Wednesday in connection with the fatal carjacking of an Ohio single mother, who was hit by her own vehicle as she attempted to prevent the theft while her young child was in the backseat, according to police reports. One of the arrested individuals, 16-year-old Ray-Yon Hawkins, reportedly confessed to hitting Alexa Stakely, 29, with the Honda SUV in a state of panic after attempting to steal it with a few friends earlier this month.
Stakely, a single mother, suffered a fatal head injury when she was struck by the vehicle. The group of teenagers abandoned the car nearby and fled the scene on foot, according to the Columbus police. Hawkins, accompanied by his parents, surrendered himself at the police station on Wednesday.
The fatal incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on July 11 outside the residence of Stakely’s babysitter. According to police reports, Hawkins and two others were in search of a vehicle to steal when they spotted Stakely’s Honda. As his friends watched, Hawkins entered the vehicle and was about to drive away when Stakely appeared in front of the car. In a state of panic, Hawkins drove off, hitting Stakely with her own vehicle.
A second 16-year-old suspect was arrested hours after Hawkins’ arrest. Both teenagers are facing murder charges. The identity of the second suspect has not been disclosed, but police reports indicate that he confessed to being present during the attempted theft of Stakely’s SUV.
Authorities had previously released images of the suspects they were seeking in connection with the case. A third suspect is still at large. Prior to the tragic incident, Stakely had placed her sleeping 6-year-old child in the car, but had to return to the babysitter’s home after forgetting an item. Upon her return, she saw the SUV backing out onto the road and heard her child screaming.
Stakely was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition after being hit by the car and later succumbed to her injuries. Her child was unharmed. Stakely, an Ohio State University graduate, worked as a speech and language pathologist in a local school district and also held a second job as a waitress to support her child.