DELLWOOD, Mo. — A man turned himself in to police after a road rage incident turned deadly in north St. Louis County Tuesday night.
At about 5:42 p.m., police said a car rear-ended another car at West Florissant Avenue and Chambers Road. The two drivers got into an argument, which led to gunfire. Both drivers were armed with guns, according to police.
A 30-year-old man driving the car that was rear-ended was shot and later died at a hospital. The suspect, a 23-year-old man, left the scene but later called police and turned himself in.
“Those two individuals both had guns. Apparently, an argument ensued after the traffic crash where shots were fired and ultimately it led to someone losing their life," said Major Ron Martin, assistant chief for North County Police Cooperative.
Typically, when a fender bender happens, the parties involved will contact the police and exchange insurance information.
“I think we've become more short-fused, short-tempered when in actuality, cooler heads prevail,” Martin said.
The nonprofit Gun Violence Archive, which tracks gun incidents, recorded that 141 people were killed in 2022 during road rage incidents, and 413 were injured.
The St. Louis region has seen its share.
“It just goes to show you where we are at in our society and how we are reacting to these absolutely in the wrong way. I think if you use common sense, have situational awareness, and just do what's right, everything should be OK,” Martin added.
Martin said while his officers pull over speeding drivers and those who violate traffic rules, criminal justice reform has rolled consequences for offenders back.
“If somebody gets a traffic citation, they don't have to go to court, they don't have to pay a fine, it can run on and on and the meat of what a traffic citation used to do is nothing on what it does today,” he said.
Martin encouraged people to call their legislators in Jefferson City to ask about pushing forward legislation to curb how traffic enforcement is handled.
Dellwood Mayor Reggie Jones provided the following statement in response to the shooting:
"It is important to emphasize that the city of Dellwood views community safety as a top priority. We have been apprised of the details surrounding the catastrophic road rage incident that occurred yesterday. We want the public to understand this is an isolated incident and does not reflect a rampant pattern or uptick in crime. We plan to remain as visible as possible throughout the city in order to deter, or even capture, these incidents. Public safety will always remain a top priority."
Jones noted a project the city is working on to address a number of issues including speeding. It has been funded by the federal government for $25 million.
North County Police Cooperative is planning to meet with St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell to see if charges will be applied.
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.
Cure Violence is an international organization that is present in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to deescalate violent situations within their own communities.
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