A teenage girl from Missouri died after a sheriff’s deputy struck her with his car after not spotting her lying on the road in the middle of the night.
A deputy with the St Francois County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an unconscious girl lying on a street near Park Hills, a city about 65 miles south of St Louis, at 3.43am on Saturday.
When the deputy approached the street, he saw the caller’s parked car with its hazard lights on, but he did not see the girl lying on the ground, the sheriff’s office said.
The deputy, whose identity was not disclosed, then struck the 16-year-old with his vehicle. The coroner was summoned and pronounced her dead at the scene.
The teenager was later identified as Persephone Berger by family members and the coroner’s office.
An autopsy was conducted on Berger’s remains Monday. The preliminary findings indicated that she had no physical injuries prior to being hit by the deputy’s car, according to the sheriff’s office.
Her official cause and manner of death will be determined by a finalized autopsy report from the coroner’s office.
The St Francois County Sheriff’s Office said that the reason Berger was lying unconscious on the road in the middle of the night remains unclear and under investigation.
Persephone Berger, 16, died after being struck by a deputy’s vehicle while she was lying unconscious on a Missouri road at 3.43am
The St Francois County Sheriff’s Office said its deputy did not see Berger and that it is investigating why she was lying unconscious on the road. She is pictured with her mom
The local community held a candlelight vigil in honor of Berger on Monday evening
After the preliminary autopsy findings, Missouri State Highway Patrol was asked to conduct an independent investigation into the night’s events and Berger’s death.
The sheriff’s office noted that there have been false reports on social media that claimed Berger was struck during a vehicle pursuit and that the deputy left the scene after hitting her with his car.
Members of the local community held a solemn candlelight vigil for Berger on Monday evening as they mourned the teenager’s death.
One of the 16-year-old’s friends, Emma Houser, told KMOV Berger was ‘a really lively, understanding person. She never judged a soul. She was just a really sweet person.’
Another one of her friends, Isaac Madden, said Berger was ‘very kind’ and ‘super funny.’ He also said: ‘She was really smart. She had a bright future ahead of her.’
A third friend named Riley Skaggs added that Berger was ‘probably one of the top of our class’ at West County High School, which the friends all attended.
The high school released a statement on social media that said in part: ‘Our hearts go out to the student’s family, friends, classmates, teachers, and everyone in our school community who is affected by this heartbreaking loss.’
Berger’s friends said she ‘had a bright future ahead of her’ and was one of the top students in their class. The 16-year-old is pictured in a school photo
Three of Berger’s friends (L-R), Isaac Madden, Emma Houser and Riley Skaggs, said they are working on a T-shirt fundraiser to support Berger’s family
Berger was struck on this road near Park Hills, a city about 65 miles south of St Louis. Missouri State Highway Patrol is conducting an independent investigation into her death
‘Our school community is more than just a place of learning. We are a family and we will continue to support our students, staff, and families through this difficult time,’ it added.
The high school also said that there will be counselors and support available for students and staff who have been impacted by Berger’s death.
Houser, Madden and Skaggs told KMOV that they have been working on a T-shirt fundraiser to support Berger’s parents and siblings.
‘I just want the family to know that she was a great person and made the community come together… She’s very deeply missed,’ Madden said.
‘We’re here, and we’re gonna do the best we can to raise as much money and get justice for Persephone,’ Skaggs said.
An online fundraiser has also been organized to help Berger’s family cover funeral costs.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the St Francois County Sheriff’s Office and Berger’s mom for comment.
