Irish student killed in Texas crash after being hit by driver who was fleeing police

Melissa Mapa, who grew up in South Dublin before moving to the US to study at the University of Texas in Arlington, died in the collision in Euless, Fort Worth, Texas on Tuesday, May 10 just before midnight.

According to Fort Worth Police, a Euless police officer attempted to stop the driver of a black Ford Focus after noticing that the vehicle had two different license plates, one of which had expired.

The officer turned on his lights and siren to get the driver to pull over, but the motorist instead sped up and subsequently collided with Ms Mapa’s Nissan Versa, which was travelling in the opposite direction.

The driver of the Focus also crashed into utility pole before exiting the car and attempting to run away from the scene, the officer reported.

Mapa was unresponsive and suffered serious injuries in the collision. She was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Marcus Dunson, who heard the crash, told local news outlet 5NBC that he saw a police officer check Mapa’s pulse.

“He reached in to feel the lady's pulse and shook his head and I'm assuming she's gone,” he said.

Dunson said that he heard screams coming from the scene of the crash and ran over to help, where he discovered another man trapped in the passenger seat of the Focus.

“I heard another gentleman scream from around the corner over there and I went up and it was a friend of mine.

“I told him, man you got to stay where you’re at, you might have a spinal injury I can't pull you out.”

The passenger’s condition is unknown at this time.

The suspect, whose identity has not been released, was arrested by Euless police for evading arrest and may face further charges.

The Fort Worth Police Department Traffic Investigation Unit is currently investigating the fatal collision.