16-Year-Old Girl Dies After Police Car Runs Over Her While She Lay Unconscious in the Road

The tragic death of 16-year-old Persephone Berger has left her family, friends, and school community heartbroken. Now, investigators are working to uncover exactly what happened that morning.

On October 3, police in St. Francois County, Missouri, received a call about someone lying unconscious in the road on Davis Crossing Road.

An officer responded to the scene and noticed a vehicle with its hazard lights flashing. Tragically, the officer reportedly failed to see the teenager lying on the road and accidentally drove over her.

Persephone died at the scene.

Authorities have not yet determined why the teenager was unconscious in the road before the officer arrived.

An autopsy was performed on October 5. Preliminary findings reportedly showed no signs of earlier physical injuries, with the injuries consistent with those sustained in the incident. Toxicology results and the final autopsy report are still pending.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is conducting an independent investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people gathered at West County High School for a memorial honoring Persephone. Her school district expressed condolences to her family, friends, classmates, teachers, and everyone affected by the heartbreaking loss.

As the investigation continues, many questions remain unanswered, and a grieving community is left remembering a young life cut tragically short.