Two-state chase ends in fatal accident

St. Louis Post-Dispatch ^ | Dec. 2, 2003

[Missouri]

Two-state chase ends in fatal accident By Jeremy Kohler Post-Dispatch 12/02/2003

A driver was killed this morning after police in Florissant chased a stolen van into Granite City, where it crashed into another car.

The chase started about 5:00 a.m. at Lindbergh Boulevard and Trotter Way. A Florissant Police Officer tried to stop a suspicious GMC van and pursued it into Illinois. It crashed into a Chevrolet Camaro, killing the driver, John Smith, 32, of Granite City at Nameoki Road and Pontoon Road near Route 203. He had a green light and was going west through the intersection when he was hit, police said.

The driver of the van appeared uninjured and was taken into police custody.

Police recovered several weapons in the van, which had been stolen last night in Florissant.

Smith was on his way to work at the Capri Sun beverage plant in Granite City when the accident occurred. He was engaged to be married; his fiancee has declined to comment.

Florissant Police have scheduled a 2:30 p.m. news conference.

[Missouri]

More to come I'm sure.

[Missouri]

Local ping.

[You Gotta Be Kidding Me]

In Arizona, that would be "premeditated murder". Premeditated felony resulting in death (intentional, or unintentional) = premeditated murder.

[thoughtomator]

Hardly an 'accident'.

[Onelifetogive]

He was engaged to be married; his fiancee has declined to comment.

Typical IDIOT reporter..."How do you FEEL about your fiancee being killed?"

[Peace will be here soon]

We get a lot of this over the river filth coming across the Mississippi to do a little raping and pillaging in St.Louis city and county. My father had his car stolen in Manchester a few years back, and low and behold, he was from the east side, what a shock !!

[Missouri]

The TV news said that the suspect was from Ferguson. Where the chase started is about 2 miles from where my parents live and where I grew up.

[Missouri]

Premeditated felony resulting in death

Murder charges have been filed. I figured that much.

[2Hot4You]

Where the chase started is about 2 miles from where my parents live and where I grew up.

Where did you grow up? We lived in Cool Valley (my dad was Marshall) until '67.

[Missouri]

Florissant, near the old Cross Keys Mall.

We lived in Cool Valley

I been through Cool Valley, its just southeast of Ferguson. Its been a long time, though.

Do you still live in the St. Louis area?

[Damagro]

Typical IDIOT reporter..."How do you FEEL about your fiancee being killed?"

---

Well, the reporter's probably a Democrat and thinks she'd go on with the wedding with a last minute replacement, ala Wellstone/Mondale

[Damagro]

Was just discussing the latter day fad of running from the police with a friend earlier today. In my state, police can't pursue unless they know a felony has been committed. There needs to be a very hefty penalty for fleeing in a vehicle, maybe a 20 year minimum

[Peace will be here soon]

Was the suspect from Ferguson originally , or living there currently? He had to head to the east side for a reason. The truth will come out eventually.

[2Hot4You]

I been through Cool Valley, its just southeast of Ferguson. Its been a long time, though.

That's the spot. Right next to I-70 (which they were building when I was a pup).

Do you still live in the St. Louis area?

Nope, I've been in Colorado for almost 20 years now, but my mom still lives in Bellerive Acres (next door to UMSL) and my wife's parents are in Chesterfield.