A high-speed chase through St. Louis ended inside Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where police say a wanted man tried to dodge arrest by pretending to be a patient after crashing his car and hopping a security fence. The 36-year-old suspect allegedly forced his way through a controlled-access door and was ultimately found on the hospital’s fourth floor, capping what authorities describe as a chaotic pursuit tied to a separate first-degree assault investigation.
According to police, the driver, identified as Brian Grant, took off from a traffic stop and hit speeds of up to 75 mph on city streets before running a red light and smashing into another vehicle, injuring the other driver, as reported by Fox2Now. Grant then allegedly bailed out of the car and ran, at one point nearly hitting a group of pedestrians while fleeing, according to the probable cause statement. Officers say they later tracked him to the hospital campus, where he tried to blend in with actual patients.
Hospital Disguise Didn’t Work
The makeshift hospital ruse quickly fell apart. A nurse spotted Grant in an unoccupied room on the fourth floor and alerted other staff, according to the probable cause statement. Hospital personnel then helped officers identify the suspect after he had allegedly forced his way into the building and jumped a perimeter fence. No hospital staff injuries were reported during the incident.
Guns Found in Vehicle; Charges Filed
Investigators say they found a Glock 22 and a Ruger Security-9 “within reach” of the driver’s seat, with police reporting that both pistols had loaded magazines and rounds in the chamber, per Fox2Now. Charging documents list counts against Grant that include leaving the scene of an accident, first-degree burglary, aggravated fleeing a stop or detention, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and resisting or interfering with arrest for a felony. Court records cited by reporters indicate Grant was previously convicted of child abuse or neglect in 2025 and was placed on field supervision in January 2025. A preliminary hearing is set for May 5, 2026.
What Comes Next
Grant remains in custody as prosecutors gear up for the preliminary hearing and weigh whether to send the case to trial. Barnes-Jewish Hospital, located at One Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza and part of BJC HealthCare, is where staff spotted the suspect and contacted law enforcement. Local officials and hospital leaders typically credit security measures and quick staff reporting for preventing situations like this from spiraling further, while prosecutors say any eventual penalties will hinge on how the current slate of charges moves through the courts.
