Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kile Kolinski, 33, of Hillsboro and a 26-year-old St. Louis man were injured Monday night, March 4, in a crash on I-55 south of Arnold. At 8:45 p.m., the St. Louis man drove a car into Kolinski’s SUV after the deputy had stopped another vehicle for a traffic violation, authorities reported.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol issued the St. Louis man citations for failure to move over for an emergency vehicle and a seat belt violation, the Sheriff’s Office reported. The Leader will not name the man unless charges are filed against him.
Kolinski and the St. Louis man refused treatment at the scene, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Grant Bissell said.
“This incident was nearly a tragedy for our deputy who had just unbuckled his seat belt and was about to exit his patrol car,” Sheriff Dave Marshak said. “While the deputy was fortunate in this incident, more of our first responders are frequently at risk because of drivers who are intoxicated, distracted, on their phones or tired.
“We need to do better to protect everyone on the roadways, from the tow truck driver to other first responders who are at risk.”
The accident happened after Kolinski had stopped on the side of the interstate near mile marker 188, with the 2022 Ford Explorer’s emergency lights on, according to the accident report.
Kolinski had removed his seat belt but had not gotten out of the SUV when the 2016 Chrysler 200 driven by the St. Louis man hit the Explorer and slid off the road several hundred feet from the traffic stop, the report said.
The St. Louis man said he must have fallen asleep while driving, according to the report.
The Sheriff’s Office SUV sustained severe damage to its left front fender, suspension and front bumper. The car had severe damage to its right front and side, the report said.
The vehicles had to be towed, according to the report.
Jefferson County’s Fleet Services is working with the insurance company to determine if the SUV can be repaired, Bissell said.