UPDATE: For those interested in sending donations to Officer Tudor's family, please send them to the Hazelwood Police Department at:
Craig Tudor Donation Fund, 415 Elm Grove Lane, Hazelwood, MO 63042
The original story is below.
For Hazelwood residents like Pam Endres, the damage was almost too significant to believe.
“I can’t imagine somebody surviving something like that. That car is mangled,” she said.
Endres was referencing the aftermath of a serious car crash involving Officer Craig Tudor, an 11-year veteran of the Hazelwood Police Department, at the intersection of Dunn Road and Village Square Drive Thursday afternoon.
“I’ve lived in Hazelwood for 38 years and I’ve never seen anything like this,” Endres said.
Police Chief Gregg Hall says Tudor was called for back-up shortly before 5 p.m. on Aug. 25 for an unrelated call on Dunn Road.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s investigation, Tudor was driving westbound on Dunn Road with his lights and sirens on when a vehicle attempted to make a left turn, colliding with the police cruiser. The cruiser then traveled off the roadway, struck an embankment, and overturned.
“There was a head on collision at that intersection that caused a multiple roll over with the police officer,” Hall said.
The marked squad car was so badly damaged, there was only one way for first responders to free the injured officer. Chief Hall said Tudor was trapped inside and had to be cut out by fire personnel.
Eureka Davidson said she was near the scene shortly after the crash and saw the rescue operation in action.
“The firefighters did a remarkable job. They did an awesome job pulling him out, cutting him out and putting a brace on,” she said.
Hall said Tudor remained conscious and breathing the entire time. He was treated on scene initially by paramedics, but was later taken by helicopter to a local hospital.
Davidson said she noticed the officer make a small gesture from the stretcher.
“He was waving, letting everybody know that he was alert,” she said.
It was a small sign of hope in the midst of such a violent crash that now has residents praying for the officer’s full recovery.
“I would tell him to please fight with every ounce of strength he has," Endres said. "He will be in everyone’s prayers tonight.”
Chief Hall could not say if any tickets or charges were going to be issued. The driver of the other car was cooperative and refused any medical attention on scene.
Officer Tudor will be flown to a rehabilitation facility in Colorado on Wednesday to recover from injuries to his neck and back. This is the same facility where Officer Mike Flamion is receiving treatment.
A GoFundMe page was started to help raise money for Officer Tudor's expected medical expenses.
