FLORISSANT, Mo. — A group of residents in Florissant met up in the McCleur North High School Parking lot Sunday to pay homage to a late Good Samaritan killed in a hit-and-run crash.
It was to honor the memory of their beloved neighbor, Rick Aslept.
At 62, Rick was known for his daily commitment to picking up litter in the community until his tragic death last month, when he was struck by a vehicle while walking his dog.
"It honors someone who took time out of his day every single day to go out and pick up trash in his neighborhood," organizer Jeff Cook said.
The driver involved in the crash fled the scene, leaving the community in shock. "I was shocked. I was sad. I was mad," Cook recalled. "You know, anytime something like that happens in your community, you get a mix of emotions."
Armed with gloves, trash bags, and pickers, residents joined Cook in the cleanup effort, which has gained momentum across Florissant. Cook noted the generous support his cleanup crew has received over the years from local businesses, including Handyman Hardware and Home Depot.
Local officials also participated in the event, with Florissant City Council President Robert Parson addressing street safety concerns.
"Of course we're going to have some people that are going to be reckless. And that's unfortunate," he said. "We always try to get our police officers to patrol more."
Despite the loss of Rick, his legacy lives on in the community’s commitment to keep their streets clean and safe.
"I do know that Rick was in the Navy, so he served his country before his time, and then he continued here in this neighborhood just being a good neighbor," Cook added. "This is a good thing to do in honor of Rick. A lot of us saw him out."