Nyra Whitelow: Michigan woman charged with killing 22-yr-old MSU student and her dog in 100 mph crash

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN: A Michigan woman, Nyra Whitelow, is facing charges following a high-speed crash occurring at nearly 100 mph within a 45 mph zone. The tragic incident resulted in the death of Audrey Hensley, 22, and her pet dog, while also critically injuring Hensley's boyfriend, all transpiring during a Thanksgiving holiday visit with family. 

Whitelow, 23, is charged with second-degree murder as well as reckless driving leading to significant bodily harm. She was released on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled for a court appearance on April 26, Law&Crime reports.

What happened to Audrey Hensley?

According to a probable cause affidavit presented by Detective Tim Knight of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, the three-vehicle collision occurred on November 24, 2023, in Kalamazoo in southwest Michigan. 

Nyra Whitelow's Dodge Charger rapidly accelerated to nearly 100 mph within five seconds leading up to the crash, then decelerated to 86 mph just before impact.  Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting said about the horrific accident, "There is an immense loss experienced by the loved ones and the community. We end up charging reckless driving causing serious injury, but that hardly seems sufficient when someone has had these life-altering injuries and is going to be dealing with the impact not for just the next few months but for the rest of their lives.”

He concluded, “Not only are they doing something that they know or should know is dangerous for someone else … but it’s so dangerous that the likelihood of those actions is that someone is going to be severely hurt or killed."

Nyra Whitelow 'recklessly disregarded the safety of others'

A detective documented Nyra Whitelow's account during an interview, where she elucidated the rationale behind her speeding. "In the interview with the liable driver Nyra Whitelow, she disclosed that she was rushing to deliver items to a friend at Bronson Hospital, which accounted for her speeding," stated the officer. The officer further noted that the defendant had "recklessly disregarded the safety of others" by driving at an "extremely excessive speed." 

Audrey Hensley, a graduate of Michigan State University who was pursuing her master's degree in dietetics at Ball State University, tragically died in the collision. Her mother shared on Facebook, "We were blessed to have spent a wonderful Thanksgiving with them and we will cherish that last holiday with her forever." She also shared a photo capturing their final moments together during a Thanksgiving morning stroll and the family gathering around the Christmas tree. "Our tree can flip to colored lights with the push of a button." 

Hensley's mom said, "Right before Audrey and Gavin left yesterday she flipped it to colored to see if I would notice. 30 minutes later she was gone. 30 minutes. I noticed, baby girl, and I’m leaving them. Maybe forever. Mommy loves you, Audrey, and I’ll miss you until we meet again."