A tragic turn of events unfolded yesterday morning on eastbound Interstate 70 in St. Louis, where police Officer David Lee, an 18-year veteran of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, was fatally struck by a vehicle. Officer Lee, 44, had been responding to a one-car crash when the accident occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m., as reported by KSDK. A colleague, K-9 Officer Heather Moore, remembered Lee fondly, saying, "He was always a great guy. I have not one negative thing I could even think about saying about David Lee. He was always there to give a helping hand to anyone in need."
The officer was behind his police vehicle setting up traffic cones to alert motorists to the crash involving an off-duty Ferguson firefighter when a 24-year-old man lost control of his car, spun out, and hit Lee, according to a FOX 2 Now report. The off-duty firefighter then risked her own life, coming to Lee’s assistance and calling for help using his radio. Police Chief Robert Tracy noted the gravity of the situation in a statement, "This is a serious issue. We have an officer that is now deceased because of this person's actions."
St. Louis firefighters arrived shortly after the accident and transported Lee to St. Louis University Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries while in surgery. Chief Robert Tracy disclosed to KSDK the efforts made to save Lee's life, stating, "She got on his radio, asking for help. An officer-in-need-of-aid call was dispatched." Lee's death marks him as the 167th police officer to die in the line of duty.
The driver who struck Officer Lee showed signs of impairment and was taken into custody at the scene, remaining cooperative with law enforcement as they managed the aftermath of the collision. St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, grieving the loss of their colleague, expressed their devastation in a Facebook post, urging the community to "pray for Officer Lee's family, friends, and the entire SLMPD and St. Louis community." The case is currently under investigation, with the police chief vowing to ensure a meticulous and just process. In memory of Officer Lee's service, BackStoppers has extended immediate assistance to the surviving family with a $10,000 contribution, underscoring the profound impact of the loss on the community.
