Illegal Honduran immigrant charged with DWI in death of St. Louis police officer

ST. LOUIS (TND) — A Honduran man living in the U.S. illegally was charged Monday in the recent death of a St. Louis police officer, local authorities announced.

Ramon Arnaldo Chavez-Rodriguez, 24, is accused of fatally hitting St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) Officer David Lee with his car Sunday morning. Lee was responding to a vehicular accident on Interstate 70 at the time.

Chavez-Rodriguez, who authorities say is from Honduras and not a U.S. citizen, was allegedly driving 71 miles per hour at the time of the incident. He lost control of his vehicle before striking Lee, who was thrown several feet, according to charging documents.

Lee was taken to St. Louis University Hospital, where he died from his injuries. Hospital staff also drew blood for Chavez-Rodriguez and determined he had a blood alcohol content level of .10% approximately two hours after the incident. The legal blood alcohol content limit in Missouri is .08%.

Chavez-Rodriguez was charged with a DWI resulting in death Monday, along with exceeding posted speed limit and operating a motor vehicle without a valid license. He is being held without bond.

SLMPD Chief Robert Tracy told reporters Monday his "top priority" is "ensuring justice is served" for Lee.

My officer was killed in the line of duty, and I am supporting my officers who are grieving and a family that has lost a husband and a father," Tracy said.

Lee was 44 years old at the time of the incident and an 18-year veteran of SLMPD, according to the department.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Baileywrote on X Sunday he was praying for Lee’s family, adding his office “stand[s] with” SLMPD.

Bailey has been outspoken about illegal immigration in his state. In March, he condemned the Biden administration's policies after an illegal Venezuelan immigrant was charged in a car crash which killed a 12-year-old boy.

“It's heartbreaking to see innocent lives lost because of the failures of our government to secure our borders effectively," Bailey said at the time.

Bailey sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in July, claiming Missouri has reason to believe the Biden administration is "deliberately flying" illegal immigrants into the U.S. The lawsuit sought to compel the Biden administration to provide documents and communications related to the topic.