ST. LOUIS, MO  (January 08, 2026) — Ramon Chavez-Rodriguez, 25, was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for driving while intoxicated and causing a September 22, 2024, crash that killed 44-year-old St. Louis Metropolitan Police Officer David Lee.

On October 28, 2025, Chavez-Rodriguez pled guilty to driving while intoxicated, resulting in the death of a law enforcement officer, and operating a vehicle without a valid driver's license. The Court imposed the sentence after reviewing the evidence, hearing arguments, and considering the victim's impact.

The incident occurred on Interstate 70 near North Grand Avenue in the City of St. Louis. Officer David Lee, a member of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, was assisting at a single-vehicle crash and standing outside his patrol vehicle when the defendant struck him.

The defendant drove a 2019 Kia Sorento eastbound on Interstate 70 at a speed of at least 71 miles per hour in a 55-mile-per-hour zone during rainy conditions. The defendant lost control of the vehicle, spun, and struck Officer Lee with the rear of the vehicle. Officer Lee was transported to St. Louis University Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

A blood analysis showed the defendant's blood alcohol content exceeded the legal limit and detected cocaine and methamphetamine. The defendant did not have a valid driver's license at the time of the crash.

Officer Lee served the St. Louis community for 18 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.

"Officer Lee made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting his community. No sentence is sufficient to provide true justice for this completely preventable tragedy," said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. "Reckless and impaired driving has devastating consequences, and our office will continue to prosecute these cases to the fullest extent of the law.”

The case was prosecuted by Chief of Homicide Tanja Engelhardt, Chief Warrant Officer Mary Pat Carl, and Assistant Circuit Attorney Grant Simon.

The defendant's case number is 2422-CR02788-01.