Police officer dies after being hit by car while responding to crash

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOV/Gray News) – A St. Louis police officer tragically lost his life after being struck by a vehicle while assisting at the scene of a previous crash.

The incident occurred around 8:50 a.m. on Sunday, according to KMOV. Authorities responded to calls for aid after an officer had been hit by a car, leading to the closure of the road.

The officer, later identified as David Lee, an 18-year veteran of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, was transported to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

According to police, Lee was in the process of staging at the site of an earlier accident on the interstate when he was hit by an oncoming vehicle. The driver involved remained at the scene and has been detained.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones expressed her condolences in a statement, saying, “Today, I ask the entire St. Louis community to join us in mourning the passing of Officer David Lee. Through his work and his passing, he has left an indelible mark on the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and our City as a whole. I want to thank the SLMPD officers at the scene and the team at SLU hospital for their determination and care in trying to save Officer Lee’s life. Matthew 5:4 tells us, ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.’ Our proud City must now come together to comfort Officer Lee’s family, friends, colleagues, and our entire community.”