Authorities say a drunken driver fleeing police struck two pedestrians early this morning on the Poplar Street Bridge, killing one of them and leaving the other in grave condition.
Illinois State Police Sgt. Keith Stephens said two men in a 2003 Ford Mustang were fleeing St. Louis police when they struck the pedestrians on the bridge.
St. Louis police said the Mustang struck a squad car at Market Street and Memorial Drive about 3:35 a.m., police said. Police followed the car onto the bridge and a few minutes later, the Mustang struck a man and woman walking along the eastbound lanes of the bridge close to the Illinois side.
The city officer was treated at a hospital for minor injuries and was released, police said.
The man who was struck was knocked off the bridge and fell to dry land below, Stephens said. The woman was badly hurt and being treated at a St. Louis hospital for what police called life-threatening injuries.
Stephens said St. Louis police stopped the Mustang along Route 3 at 8th Street and arrested them. Stephens said the driver, 26, of Florissant, had a blood-alcohol content of 0.16 percent. That is twice the legal limit to drive a vehicle in Illinois.
Police said the driver admitted to living in the United States illegally. He is being held at the St. Clair County Jail awaiting charges.
The passenger of the Mustang, 31, was questioned and released, police said.
Police withheld the identity of the male victim until his relatives could be told of his death. Police do not yet know the identity of the woman. - http://goo.gl/Sx9Fb
