ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis police officer died Sunday after being struck by a car that morning on Interstate 70.
The injured officer, identified as Officer David Lee, was an 18-year veteran of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. He was rushed to the hospital after the crash in critical condition. Lee passed away on Sunday afternoon in the presence of family and friends. Lee was 44.
“We are devastated over the loss of our beloved colleague. Please pray for Officer Lee’s family, friends, and the entire SLMPD and St. Louis community,” states St. Louis Police in a Facebook post.
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones echoed the call for prayers for Lee’s family at a Sunday evening news conference. Police Chief Robert Tracy and Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore joined Mayor Jones at the podium.
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Chief Tracy said Officer Lee responded to a one-vehicle crash on eastbound I-70 near Grand Boulevard around 8:30 a.m. An off-duty Ferguson firefighter, who was on her way home, was the driver of the vehicle that crashed. Officer Lee was behind his police vehicle and retrieving traffic cones when another driver lost control of their car, spun out, and struck Lee.
Tracy said the off-duty firefighter risked her own life by getting out of her vehicle and rushed to Lee’s aid. She took his walkie-talkie and radioed for help.
St. Louis firefighters arrived a short time later and took Officer Lee to St. Louis University Hospital. Lee died while in surgery. Chief Tracy said Lee is the 167th police officer to die in the line of duty.
Officer Lee worked out of the SLMPD’s North Patrol and had served in the Traffic Division for the past four years.
Accident reconstruction teams shut down the interstate to collect evidence. Chief Tracy said the driver who spun out, a 24-year-old man, remained at the scene and was taken into custody. The police chief said the driver showed signs of impairment and “lived locally.”
Circuit Attorney Gore said his office is awaiting the results of the accident reconstruction team’s investigation. Police are expected to apply for warrants with the circuit attorney’s office and prosecutors will review the matter before any charges are filed.
“It’s under investigation. You want to make you get this right. You don’t want to compromise this case,” Tracy said. “This is a serious issue. We have an officer that is now deceased because of this person’s actions and we want to make sure that, if and when we can charge, we want to make sure, at the proper time, that that’s going to happen.”
Colonel Kenneth Gregory, chief of the St. Louis County Police Department, offered condolences late Sunday afternoon.
“We are so sorry to hear about the loss of Officer David Lee. It’s a profound tragedy, and my thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time. His dedication and service will always be remembered,” Gregory said. “On behalf of the St. Louis County Police Department, know that we are here, and we fully support our brothers and sisters at the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Rest in Peace, Officer David Lee.”
When a first responder dies in the line of duty, BackStoppers responds with immediate assistance by providing the surviving family with a $10,000 contribution.
“My heart goes out to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer David Lee. Officer Lee will forever be honored and remembered as a hero,” Chief Ron Battelle, BackStoppers executive director, said. “Please pray for the Lee family, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and for everyone who knew and loved Officer Lee.”
You can watch the news conference featuring Mayor Jones, Chief Tracy, and Circuit Attorney Gore on the video player below.
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