ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — One construction worker was killed and another injured Friday morning after a driver lost control and struck them in St. Louis County.
The St. Louis County Police Department said the driver of the Cadillac that hit the men was also injured in the crash. He and the surviving construction worker were both taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police said the driver was released from the hospital Friday and is in police custody.
Officers responded shortly after 10:30 a.m. to the crash outside Rediscover Antiques and Collectibles at 9912 S. Broadway. According to preliminary information, a man was driving northbound when he lost control of his Cadillac and left the road, striking the two construction workers who were working on the front of the building.
Marvin Rudloff, the owner of Glenlo Awning and Window Co. in Imperial, identified the two men as his employees. They were among six men replacing an awning outside the antique store when the Cadillac crashed into them.
"It happened so fast. It's devastating. We're a family business," Rudloff said.
The workers said the Cadillac and another car had sped around a curve and collided, causing the Cadillac to go off the road.
Rudloff said Chris Johnson , 35, was handing materials to Carl Seese, 58, when they were struck. Johnson, a father from House Springs, was pinned underneath the car and killed.
"All of these guys, they're like brothers," Rudloff said. "My six guys work together every day and now they’re missing their brother and Chris’ son is missing his dad. We brought him into the company three years ago. It was a perfect fit."
Seese, a husband and grandfather from Arnold, was knocked off of a ladder and injured.
"They're awaiting an MRI scan on him. He's got stitches on the back of his head. They're checking to see if he's got any broken bones," Rudloff said.
Witnesses told police the Cadillac driver may have been drag racing with another vehicle before the deadly crash. A clearly posted sign shows the speed limit on S. Broadway is 40mph.
"It's like a racetrack here. I can hear cars speeding by every day," said neighbor James Finklang, whose surveillance camera caught footage of the speeding cars directly before the crash. Finklang shared the footage with police. "I feel bad. People drive through here like they don't care," Finklang said.
Rudloff said at least one person in the Cadillac ran from the scene and tried to get on a bus, but workers and witnesses surrounded them until police arrived.
"All of my guys are in shock and devastated. This isn’t supposed to happen when you come to work," Rudloff said.
Tom Kempland, the owner of the building the men were working on, said the awning they were replacing had been damaged by a hit-and-run driver earlier in the year.
Police are investigating the crash. Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).