A man charged in the death of a St. Louis police officer is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday

St. LOUIS – The tragic case of a St. Louis police officer who died in the line of duty is back in the spotlight. A man accused of driving under the influence and causing a crash that killed police officer David Lee has a court hearing scheduled for Wednesday morning.

Ramon Chavez Rodriguez, 24, will have a preliminary hearing Wednesday morning. He faces several charges in the tragic death of Officer Lee.

Missouri is trying to suspend Biden’s voter registration executive order

Officer Lee was 44 and an 18-year veteran of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department when he was wounded and killed in September.

Chavez-Rodriguez, 24, is charged with driving while intoxicated causing the death of a law enforcement officer or emergency personnel, speeding and driving without a valid license.

The accident happened around 8:30 a.m. on September 22. Officer Lee was working a single vehicle accident on I-70 eastbound near Grand. Investigators say Lee was driving cones when Chavez-Rodriguez lost control of the Kia Sorrento he was driving and struck Lee, pinning him against his patrol car. Lee was rushed to hospital but died during surgery.

Thank you for registering!

Wait for us in your mailbox.

Subscribe now

Authorities say Chavez-Rodriguez does not have legal status in the United States; he is being held without bail. This is not Chavez-Rodriguez’s first brush with the law. In 2020, he was investigated for domestic violence in St. Peters and later convicted. Chavez-Rodriguez was on probation for an assault charge when the fatal incident occurred.

Wednesday’s hearing is set for 10 a.m. in Unit 26. Lee was a highly respected St. Louis police officer. He is survived by his wife, two children, mother and sister.

For breaking news, weather, sports and video streaming, go to FOX 2.