A late-night crash along a busy stretch of Gravois Road in Sappington left a 10-year-old boy dead Sunday, after he was hit by a pickup truck near Cinnabar Drive in south St. Louis County.
Officers from the Affton Southwest precinct were called to the scene shortly before 10:30 p.m. and found the child in the eastbound lanes of Gravois. He was rushed to a hospital, where he later died. Police say the pickup driver called 911, remained at the scene and has been cooperating with investigators.
Victim identified
St. Louis County Police identified the boy as 10-year-old Charles Bunnel of Sappington. A preliminary investigation indicates he ran into the roadway before being struck, according to KSDK. Police are continuing their work to piece together the moments leading up to the crash and are asking for help from anyone who may have seen what happened.
What investigators say
Officers say they responded to the call just before 10:30 p.m. and confirmed the vehicle involved was a pickup truck. The driver stayed on scene and cooperated with detectives, per KMOV. The St. Louis County Police Department says the investigation remains active as detectives gather physical evidence and track down witness accounts.
Why Gravois matters
Gravois Road has seen more than its share of heartbreak in recent years. The corridor is frequently cited by traffic safety advocates as one of the region’s most dangerous routes for people on foot or on bikes. In a 2025 post, Trailnet listed Gravois among the city’s top crash corridors and urged faster action on protected infrastructure and design changes to cut down on traffic violence, according to Trailnet.
How to help
Police say even small details could matter as they reconstruct the crash. Anyone with information is asked to contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210, according to KSDK. Tips could be critical as investigators work to understand exactly what unfolded on Gravois that night.
