Around 5:15 a.m. on December 21, 2025, officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) were notified of a one-vehicle crash in the area of I-70 and W. Florissant after a pursuit involving a Fairmont City, Illinois, Police Officer.
A preliminary investigation reveals that a Fairmont City, Illinois, Police Officer conducted a traffic stop in Fairmont City for speeding. During the traffic stop, the officer attempted to remove the driver from the vehicle by reaching in to release the seatbelt, at which time the suspect drove off, dragging the officer a short distance.
The officer was able to return to his patrol car and initiate a pursuit with the fleeing vehicle. The vehicle later entered the City of St. Louis at a high rate of speed.
While on I-70, the Fairmont City, Illinois, officer reports disengaging from the pursuit after losing sight of the fleeing vehicle. The officer then located the vehicle after it had been involved in a single-vehicle crash just before the W. Florissant exit. The car had left the roadway and struck the guardrail and light pole.
The driver of the fleeing vehicle died at the scene and has been identified as 29-year-old Precious Black. Her family has been notified.
The Fairmont City, Illinois, Police Officer injured during the traffic stop was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
No SLMPD officers were involved in the pursuit.
SLMPD Accident Reconstruction investigators along with detectives with the Force Investigations Unit responded to investigate the incident.
Accident Reconstruction investigates all crashes that result in death or life-threatening injuries. The Force Investigations Unit investigates law enforcement encounters that result in death or life-threatening injuries within the City of St. Louis. Detectives will conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation and prepare a full report.
