ST. LOUIS — Two men were killed after police said one of them caused a chain-reaction crash while fleeing police in St. Louis Wednesday evening, according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
The accident happened in St. Louis' Vandeventer neighborhood in the 4200 block of E. Page Boulevard around 7:35 p.m.
According to a police report, officers spotted a 2017 Infinity Q50 that was wanted in connection with a first-degree assault and robbery. It was being driven by 39-year-old Daron Whitt, police said.
Officers notified the Metro Air Support Unit and responded in anticipation that the driver might flee. When police tried to pull the driver over, he continued West on Page at a high rate of speed.
The Air Support helicopter saw Whitt strike a 2015 Nissan Altima in the rear while he was trying to go around it. The Infinity then rotated, entered the eastbound lane and was T-boned by the Altima. A 2021 Nissan Altima then struck a 2006 Chevrolet HHR.
Whitt and the man driving the Chevrolet were pronounced dead at the scene. The Chevrolet driver's identity hasn't been released.
The other two vehicles each had a driver and a passenger; all four had minor injuries.
An investigation is underway.
Whitt's family told 5 On Your Side's Robert Townsend that Daron was an innocent person who was killed in the crash.
The family said witnesses told them an officer in an unmarked car was pursuing a man in a Charger-Hellcat type of vehicle when that driver hit a car, which caused the crash. Whitt's family also said he and a friend were working on his new coffee shop near Grand and Page when his vehicle was hit.
His family described him as a loving husband and father who was looking forward to opening his new coffee shop.
Thursday evening, dozens gathered outside of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department holding up signs and demanding justice for Daron.
“The smile Daron had was just infectious. When my brother smiled, he brought out the sunshine, “ Daron's sister, Yolanda said.
“He was looking forward to opening his business. Just on Wednesday he had just completed more installations at this coffee shop. He was happy about it and excited to open it on Jan. 1," she said.
Daron was a father of two - a 13-year-old and 20-year-old.
“Daron was a good person. He had a good heart, he was joyful and compassionate,” Nayesha Courtney, Whitt’s ex-wife said.
“They took him from his two sons and his family. It’s just real crazy and it’s not right and now they’re trying to cover it up. Justice needs to be served for Daron Whitt and I’m going to make sure that he gets it,” Courtney said.
After they protested outside police headquarters, the family drove to the crash scene near Page and Whittier.
There they continued to protest, held signs and then released balloons in memory of their loved one.
The crash remains under investigation, police said.