Hiram Grau - Director
Date: 09/25/11
Time: 3:41 am
Location: Poplar Street Bridge EB
County: St. Clair
Crash Number: 11-11-02547
Unit 1
Vehicle Description: 2003 Ford Mustang
Driver Name: Brandon Oggun Garcia
Gender: Male
Age: 26
City/State of Residence : Florrisant, MO
Seatbelt use: Yes
Injuries: None
Taken To: St Clair Co Jail
Passenger 1
Unit #: 1
Name: Alfredo Amelco Arand
Gender: Male
Age: 31
City/State of Residence:
Seatbelt use: Yes
Injuries: None
Taken To: N/A
Pedestrian 1
Name: Daunte D. Simmons
Gender: Male
Age: 26
City/State of Residence: St. Louis, Mo.
Injuries: Fatal
Taken To: St. Louis University Hospital
Pedestrian 2
Name: Elvira Secic
Gender: Female
Age: 27
City/State of Residence: St. Louis, Mo.
Injuries: Critical
Taken To: St. Louis University Hospital
Narrative:
On 09/25/11 at 3:41 am, two pedestrians were struck on the Poplar Street
Bridge. Prior to this incident, a 2003 Mustang struck a St Louis PD squad
car and fled the scene. The St Louis officer followed the vehicle and
attempted to stop it, but the Mustang fled east across the Poplar Street
Bridge. While crossing the PSB, the Mustang struck two pedestrians who were
walking on the bridge deck. One pedestrian, Simmons, was knocked off the
bridge deck and fell over 40 feet to the ground. He was transported to St
Louis U Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The other pedestrian, Secic,
remained in the roadway after being struck. At this time, Secic is alive,
but in critical condition at SLU.
The Mustang was stopped at IL 3 at 8th St, E ST Louis. The driver and
passenger were taken into custody. Both the driver and passenger appeared
to be intoxicated. The driver, Garcia, is a Mexican Citizen, and appears
to be in the U.S. illegally.
The case is currently being investigated by the Illinois State Police Zone
6 Division of Criminal Investigation. A Crash Reconstruction Officer was
also called to the scene as part of the investigation.
Garcia is incarcerated at the St. Clair County Jail, and is being charged
with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. He is also being held pending
felony warrant application for Reckless Homicide.
* The public is reminded that criminal defendants are presumed innocent
until the government is able to prove its charges in court beyond a
reasonable doubt.
###
