AFFTON, Mo. — St. Louis County police charged a man in connection to a hit-and-run crash that left a pedestrian dead Monday night in Affton.
Police charged Edvin Draganovic with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and driving while revoked/suspended. He was being held as of Wednesday on a $75,000 cash-only bond.
Officers were called to the scene of a crash on Mackenzie Road near Alpine Drive just after 7 p.m. where they found 74-year-old William Starr had been fatally struck in the roadway. The driver that hit him fled the scene before police arrived.
A witness recounted a pickup truck pulling up alongside him at the intersection of Mackenzie and Gravois before doing a burnout and traveling southbound at a speed, police said. The truck then passed two other witnesses, who saw the truck hit Starr while he was crossing the road. The driver did not stop or call 911 after hitting the victim.
Police were able to track down the registered owner of the pickup truck based on witness statements. At the vehicle owner's home, they spoke to 34-year-old Edvin Draganovic, the son of the owner, who admitted it was his father's truck but he was the only one who drove it.
Police said the truck was missing a side mirror at the house and had a sheet draped over the side of it. The vehicle also had blood splatter on the side. Draganovic told the officers "I hit something but didn't know what."
Police arrested Draganovic and took him to the St. Louis County Police Headquarters. There, he said he did not remember what had happened and wanted to speak with a lawyer.
St. Louis County Crimes Against Persons detectives were leading the ongoing investigation.
If you have any information about the deadly crash, contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators. To remain anonymous, contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).
Resources for crime victims
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
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