Experienced St. Louis police officer fatally injured while working at accident scene

From Austin Huguelet

source St. Louis Post-Dispatch

ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis police officer who was struck by a car on Interstate 70 Sunday morning died in surgery Sunday afternoon.

The officer was identified as David Lee, who has been on the force for 18 years. Police said they have a suspect in custody.

“Today is a day of heartbreak for the city of St. Louis,” Mayor Tishaura O. Jones said at a press conference Sunday evening.

“We are devastated,” said Police Chief Robert Tracy.

Tracy said Lee was called to a car crash on I-70 near Grand Avenue around 8:30 a.m. Sunday. The driver in the first crash was an off-duty Ferguson firefighter who was on her way home.

Lee was driving behind his patrol car to collect traffic cones when the driver of another eastbound vehicle lost control, skidded and collided with him.

Tracy said the off-duty firefighter rushed to Lee's aid and called for help on Lee's radio. City paramedics arrived and took Lee to SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital, where he died despite doctors' best efforts to save his life.

The investigation was ongoing Sunday evening, but no charges have been filed. Tracy said police arrested a 24-year-old man who showed signs of impairment, but declined to provide further details. Police said more information could be available Monday.

Following the crash, we received numerous expressions of condolence from politicians and police departments across the region.

“Erin and I extend our deepest condolences – and heartfelt appreciation – to the family of Officer David Lee, who was killed today in the line of duty,” Republican U.S. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“My heart goes out to the family of Officer David Lee and his colleagues,” said St. Louis City Councilwoman Cara Spencer of Marine Villa.

“Officer Lee will never be forgotten,” St. Louis County police said in a Facebook post.

Lee, 44, worked in the police department's traffic division for four years, Tracy said. He previously worked in the North Patrol Division. He leaves behind a wife and two children.

Tonya Lee, Officer Lee's wife, told the Post-Dispatch that her husband was a great man.

“A great husband,” she said. “A great father. A great person.”

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