Gavin Kolley, 37, of Arnold has been charged for allegedly killing a woman in a head-on crash while fleeing from a previous accident in south St. Louis County. Christine Decker, 57, of St. Louis died in the accident, St. Louis County Police reported.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on Wednesday, May 7, charged Kolley with first-degree involuntary manslaughter, a class C felony that carries a penalty three to 10 years in prison, and leaving the scene of an accident, a class E felony that is punishable by up to four years in prison, court records show.
As of today, May 8, Kolley was being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond at the St. Louis County Jail, according to court documents.
According to the case’s probable-cause statement, Kolley was driving east on Meramec Bottom Road when he hit another vehicle, causing more than $1,000 in damage. He continued driving east allegedly at a high rate of speed and erratically.
Kolley allegedly drove through a red light at the intersection of Meramec Bottom and Lemay Ferry roads before getting onto eastbound Baumgartner Road. He crossed the centerline of Baumgartner Road and hit the vehicle Decker was driving head-on, causing a three-vehicle accident, the report said.
St. Louis County did not provide additional details about the other vehicle or anyone else involved in the crash on Baumgartner Road.
Decker was transported to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead, St. Louis County Police reported.
Kolley allegedly appeared intoxicated and told investigators that “he relapsed again and that he was racing at the time of the accident and did something stupid.” He also allegedly said he was taking medicine for alcohol withdrawal, according to the report.