Teenager Dies After Being Struck by Sheriff’s Deputy Vehicle in St. Francois County

Terre Haute, IN, October 6, 2026 — A 16-year-old girl has died in St. Francois County, Missouri, after being struck by a vehicle driven by a St. Francois County Sheriff’s deputy. The incident occurred while the teenager was reportedly lying on the roadway.

The victim has been identified as Persephone Berger. According to preliminary reports, Berger was on the road when the Sheriff’s deputy’s vehicle made contact with her. The circumstances leading to Berger being on the road and the details of the collision are currently under investigation.

The St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that an internal investigation into the incident is underway. Officials have not yet released further details regarding the timeline of events, the specific location of the incident, or the identity of the deputy involved.

The news of Persephone Berger’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from her friends and the wider St. Francois County community. Many have taken to social media and local forums to share memories and express their condolences.

The investigation aims to determine the exact cause and sequence of events that led to this tragic outcome. Information regarding potential contributing factors, witness accounts, and the status of the investigation will be released as it becomes available. The contractor’s name was not provided. The fine amount was not provided. The permit status was not provided. The inspection outcomes were not provided. The code violations were not provided. Any information on what happened next was not provided.

Story summarized from the original created by Karla Vasquez Mejia, Kalie Strain, Shawn Loging, Gray News staff on www.wthitv.com, see more information here.

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