Missouri Teen Killed by Sheriff’s Deputy Vehicle After Family Claims Hit-and-Run Cover-up
A 16-year-old Missouri student was fatally struck by a St. Francois County sheriff’s deputy car, though officials first told her family it was a hit-and-run.
On Saturday morning, 16-year-old Persephone Berger was discovered in the roadway near her Park Hills home and was struck by a St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office vehicle. Sheriff Jeff Crites stated the deputy failed to notice her before the impact. The family was first informed that the teen had been the victim of a hit-and-run, leading relatives to allege a cover-up by the sheriff’s office.
The deputy, a 23-year-old with three months on the force, has not been publicly identified. A preliminary autopsy linked Berger’s injuries to the responding vehicle, and the coroner later notified the family of the severity. The Missouri State Highway Patrol will conduct an independent investigation, while toxicology testing remains pending. Community members have held vigils and school tributes, remembering Berger as a vibrant choir member and avid Harry Potter fan.
Why it matters
The case raises serious concerns about police transparency and accountability in handling officer-involved incidents.
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