James Heitman, 32, killed in a four-vehicle pileup collision that caused three vehicles to catch fire on Interstate 270 in St. Louis County, Missouri

Modified Date: 
Thu, 08/03/2023 - 6:57am
Accident Date: 
Wednesday, May 3, 2023

ONE KILLED IN FOUR-VEHICLE COLLISION ON INTERSTATE 270

DRIVER 4 CHANGED LANES FROM LANE FOUR TO LANE THREE AND FAILED TO OBSERVE STOPPED TRAFFIC AHEAD. THE FRONT OF VEHICLE 4 STRUCK THE REAR OF VEHICLE 3. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT CAUSED THE FRONT OF VEHICLE 3 TO STRIKE THE REAR OF VEHICLE 2. THE FORCE OF THE SECOND IMPACT CAUSED THE FRONT OF VEHICLE 2 TO STRIKE THE REAR OF VEHICLE 1. VEHICLES 2, 3, AND 4 CAUGHT FIRE.

Assistant St. Louis prosecutor dies in car crash

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said vehicles had stopped for traffic when Heitman's Toyota Camry switched lanes, unaware traffic had stopped.

Type: Car Accident
People Involved: 
James Heitman
Diana Wood
Ryan Steppig
Jennifer Sunkup
Roadway: 
Interstate 270