Family of dead teen who was struck by deputy's car demands answers
Persephone Berger, 16, was pronounced dead after a deputy who was responding to a call about an unresponsive person lying in the road hit her with his vehicle.
The family of 16-year-old Persephone Berger, who was struck and killed by a sheriff's deputy in St. Francois County, Missouri, has demanded answers regarding the handling of the incident. According to the St. Francois County Sheriff's Department, Berger was hit by the deputy while she lay unresponsive on the road near a person who had called for emergency assistance.
The deputy arrived around 3:40 a.m. and, despite seeing Berger on the road, did not stop. Initial reports suggested the incident was a hit-and-run, but the family disputes this, claiming they were not informed about the deputy's actions and that the coroner was the only one to contact Berger's father. An autopsy revealed Berger had injuries consistent with being struck by the deputy's vehicle, and no evidence of pre-existing injuries was found.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol will lead an independent investigation into the crash, while the sheriff's office continues its own investigation. The family's aunt, Kimberly Cabuchola, expressed frustration over the delay in learning about the incident and the lack of communication from authorities. She emphasized the family's commitment to obtaining the truth.
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