Unraveling the Incident
ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department faces scrutiny following a crash involving a police vehicle and a local bar. The incident occurred just before 12:30 a.m. Monday at Bar: PM located on the 7100 block of South Broadway in the Carondelet neighborhood. Two probationary police officers, driving a 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe, lost control of their vehicle and crashed into the bar’s front facade, sparking differing accounts of the crash’s cause.
Eyewitness and Police Accounts
According to police, the driver, fearing he was too close to a parked car, overcorrected and crashed. However, James Pence, who lives above the bar and rushed downstairs after hearing the crash, reported that the officer claimed he swerved to avoid a dog. This discrepancy has added confusion to the incident, with Pence describing the officer as very apologetic and polite.
Post-Crash Tensions and Arrest
Following the crash, Pence was briefly handcuffed over a disagreement about showing his identification to officers, a detail omitted from the police report. Bar co-owner Chad Morris, upset by the crash, confronted the officers, leading to a physical altercation. Police stated that Morris used profanity and shoved an officer, resulting in his arrest for third-degree assault and resisting arrest. He was taken to a hospital due to a pre-existing condition and later charged, held without bond.
Community Reaction and Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into the crash continues, with questions about whether the officers were tested for impairment and why their account of the incident changed. Community members, including patrons and friends, helped clean up the bar and protect it from potential looters. St. Louis Alderwoman Megan Green highlighted the bar owners’ importance to the LGBTQIA community and expressed hope for their swift reopening. The bar announced on Facebook that it would be closed Monday night but thanked customers for their support.