Tragedy struck on December 7 when a pedestrian, working to control traffic at a concert, was hit by a truck in Chesterfield, Missouri. As reported by the Chesterfield Missouri Police Department's social media post, officers Gibbs, Friemel, Holroyd, and Trivette quickly arrived at the scene to assist the injured traffic controller who was found unconscious and bleeding, the concussive force of the truck sufficient enough to snap off its own mirror.
Paramedics swiftly transported the injured party to a local hospital where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. With commendable diligence, the same team of officers cruised through leads, ultimately pinning Julian Whorton, a resident of unincorporated St. Louis County, behind the wheel during the incident. Initial attempts to net the suspect were fruitless through the night.
The breakthrough came a day later, on December 8, thanks to the vigilance of traffic cameras that spotted the suspect vehicle. An alert was broadcast, and an Ellisville officer laid eyes on the vehicle, pulling it over. Chesterfield officers took the baton, securing the scene and apprehending Whorton who then admitted to hitting what he thought was a cone the previous night and noted the damage to his mirror. "During a search of the vehicle, Officers found a variety of suspected illegal drugs," detailed the Chesterfield Missouri Police Department's post.
Whorton's brush with the law escalated when Officer Rupp marched the case up to the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office resulting in charges of Leaving the Scene of an Accident that Caused Physical Injury - a Class E Felony. The bondsman was called, and a $30,000 bond was set. While the suspected narcotics taken from Whorton's damaged vehicle await their trial-by-science at the crime lab, the officers were lauded for their "diligent work in identifying and apprehending a suspect," according to the Chesterfield Missouri Police Department.
