St. Louis police are facing scrutiny after a police SUV crashed into a local bar, raising questions about the subsequent arrest of one of the bar owners and the lack of intoxication testing for the officers involved. The incident, which occurred early Monday at Bar:PM in south St. Louis, resulted in a smashed front window but no injuries.
Video footage released by the attorney for the bar owners, Javad Khazaeli, showed the police SUV running a red light seconds before the crash. Another video captured the SUV suddenly veering into the building. The St. Louis police have pledged a thorough investigation into the incident.
The bar owner, Chad Morris, was arrested and charged with assault and resisting arrest after allegedly striking an officer and attempting to flee the scene. However, supporters of the bar have questioned why the officers in the SUV were not tested for intoxication while Morris was arrested. Morris was released from jail on Tuesday, and a large number of supporters gathered at the bar that night.
During a news briefing, Police Lt. Col. Renee Kriesmann stated that the officers involved in the crash were not tested for drugs or alcohol because other officers at the scene did not have reasonable suspicion of impairment, as required by department policy for toxicology testing. Kriesmann assured the bar owners and the community that a comprehensive investigation was underway.
Critics, including Khazaeli, have raised concerns about potential special treatment for the officers involved. Khazaeli questioned the decision not to administer a breathalyzer test, stating that if he had been involved in a similar incident, he would not have been given such leniency.
Security camera footage from the opposite side of the street showed the police SUV swerving across the center line and crashing into the front of the bar. Kriesmann attributed the accident to the officer being distracted while adjusting the radio and then swerving to avoid hitting a parked car. The officer had less than a year of experience with the department.
Although the officers were wearing body cameras, the police have chosen not to release the footage, citing the ongoing investigation. Additionally, the police SUV did not have a dash camera.
The incident has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the treatment of the bar owner and the handling of the investigation. The community and the bar owners are seeking transparency and a thorough examination of the incident to ensure justice is served.
