By Roxana Navarro
Sep 26, 2024, 10:39 PM EDT
St. Louis Metropolitan Police arrested and charged an undocumented immigrant after he fatally struck one of their officers while responding to an accident. The authorities stated that the Hispanic man was driving under the influence of alcohol, which caused the death of the agent.
Through a statement, St. Louis police mourned the death of officer David Lee, 44, who was on Interstate 70 because he was responding to a car accident when he was hit by a speeding vehicle. speed.
Officer Lee was thrown several feet with the blow, causing serious injuries. He was taken to St. Louis University Hospital, but died during surgery.
The Hispanic is from Honduras
Authorities arrested Ramón Arnaldo Chávez-Rodríguez, 24, originally from Honduras, who allegedly lost control of his vehicle before striking Police Officer Lee. Police said the Honduran immigrant is undocumented.
“The man was driving a Kia Sorrento and was traveling east in the center lane of I-70, lost control and began to spin,” said St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy.
Ramon Chavez was charged with driving under the influence (DWI) resulting in death, exceeding the posted speed limit, and operating a motor vehicle without a valid license. Charging documents allege that the Hispanic man was driving 16 miles over the speed limit.
Heartbroken by the death of the officer
“The St. Louis region is heartbroken over the loss of Officer David Lee of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. “Officer Lee was 44 years old and an 18-year veteran of the SLMPD,” the department said in the statement.
The police chief offered a conference where he explained how the accident and the death of the officer, who is survived by his wife and two children, happened.
“We will be by their side, helping them in any way we can, as they go through their darkest hours,” said Chief Tracy.
“We are devastated. We are heartbroken. But we will continue to serve and protect the city of St. Louis and make our deceased colleague proud,” he added.
Ramón Chávez Rodríguez is being held without bail and a detention hearing has been scheduled for October 2.
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