Police officer dies when he is hit by a car on the highway while rushing to an accident

ST. LOUIS, Missouri (KMOV/Gray News) – A St. Louis police officer died after being struck by a car while responding to an earlier accident.

The accident occurred around 8:50 a.m. on Sunday, KMOV reported.

Police received emergency calls for an officer needing assistance and the road was closed.

Shortly thereafter, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department announced that an officer later identified as David Lee, an 18-year police veteran, had been struck by a car.

Lee was taken to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

According to police, Lee attempted to skid due to a previous accident on the highway and was hit by an oncoming car.

The driver who struck Lee remained at the scene and was arrested, KMOV reported.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones released 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 death, he left an indelible mark on the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and our city as a whole. I want to thank the SLMPD officers on the scene and the team at SLU Hospital for their determination and care in trying to save Officer Lee's life. Matthew 5:4 states, 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.' Our proud city must come together now to comfort Officer Lee's family, friends, colleagues and our entire community.”

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