The father of an 18-year-old girl killed in a high-speed BMW crash has broken his silence, condemning the young driver accused of causing the fatal collision and criticizing his millionaire parents for their perceived lack of compassion.
Om Patel, 18, was allegedly driving a 2024 BMW M4 at 102 mph in a 45 mph zone on March 22 when he lost control of the luxury car, causing it to flip and erupt in flames. The incident occurred on a rural Missouri highway after the passengers had left a birthday party.
Tessa Walker, one of three passengers in the vehicle, died at the scene from injuries including a fractured skull with exposed brain matter, according to an arrest affidavit. Patel and Walker, both 18, were not close, according to Tessa's brother, who stated they had mutual friends that led to their being together that night.
Drew Walker, Tessa's father, expressed his anguish and anger in a social media post, stating that the accused driver's family had not reached out or shown any compassion in the more than three months since his daughter's death. "What I've gathered is you prioritize your reputation and money over my daughter's life and my family's sorrow," he wrote. "I don't think you feel it. Not yet at least. your boyish decisions created a trajectory that will affect generations."
Walker also criticized Patel's parents, Amarkumar and Heena Patel, who reportedly purchased the powerful BMW for their son on his 16th birthday. Amarkumar Patel made his fortune as a contractor and hotelier. "I know the son takes cues from the father," Drew Walker wrote. "I don't want your money. my values obviously transcend yours. F*** a dollar. F*** entitlement. god bless your walk."
Patel was charged with second-degree involuntary manslaughter on June 5, nearly three months after the crash. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge. According to the arrest affidavit, Patel, who was covered in Walker's blood after the crash, told police, "I drove and killed her." He also admitted to coming from a party where evidence of underage alcohol consumption was found.
Patel's blood-alcohol content was measured at 0.047 percent following the crash. The legal limit for individuals under 21 in Missouri is 0.02 percent.
Investigators determined that the BMW was traveling at a minimum of 102.65 mph at the time of the crash, which caused the vehicle to flip over completely before coming to rest on its wheels. The powerful BMW M4, purchased for $93,695, has 503 horsepower and can reach speeds of up to 191 mph.
Patel was initially booked into jail but later released pending further investigation. He was re-arrested on June 5 and subsequently pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. He was freed on a $2,500 bond and is scheduled to return to court in August. If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison.
Tessa Walker was preparing to graduate and planned to attend Northwest Missouri State University in the fall. She was an accomplished student, an artist, writer, and athlete, and had received scholarships for her education. She also volunteered through her school's Professional Studies program.