ST. LOUIS – The man accused of driving drunk and causing a crash that killed St. Louis Metropolitan Police Officer David Lee is due in court Wednesday afternoon for his initial appearance and bond review hearing.
Ramon Chavez-Rodriguez, 24, is facing several charges, including DWI resulting in the death of a law enforcement officer, exceeding the posted speed limit, and driving without a valid license. His hearing is set for 1 p.m. at the Carnahan Courthouse in downtown St. Louis.
The tragic incident occurred on Sunday, Sept. 22, when Officer Lee was responding to a single-car crash on Interstate 70 EB near Grand Blvd. According to police, Officer Lee was moving traffic cones when Chavez-Rodriguez allegedly lost control of his vehicle, striking the officer and pinning him against his patrol car.
Officer Lee, a highly-respected 18-year veteran of the department, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but died in surgery. He was 44 years old.
Court documents reveal Chavez-Rodriguez’s blood alcohol content was 0.10 two hours after the crash, which is above the legal limit. Records also show Chavez-Rodriguez “does not have legal status in the United States” and was driving without a valid license at the time of the incident.
This is not Chavez-Rodriguez’s first run-in with the law. In 2020, he was investigated for a domestic violence incident in St. Peters and later convicted. He was on probation for that assault charge out of St. Charles County when the crash occurred.
The fallen officer leaves behind his wife, two children, his mother, and his sister. Visitation for Officer Lee will be held Saturday Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church. A funeral service will follow.
Chavez-Rodriguez’s initial appearance was previously delayed to allow his defense team time to find an interpreter. We will have updates on this case throughout the day as it develops.
