08-05-2025
Arnold man charged in fatal hit-and-run said he'd ‘relapsed again' and was racing: Police
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A man charged in Wednesday's fatal hit-and-run in south St. Louis County told police he'd recently relapsed and was racing just prior to the crash.
According to Mary Schmitt, a spokeswoman for the St. Louis County Police Department, the crash happened shortly before 7 p.m. in the 3200 block of Baumgartner Road.
Police said Gavin Kolley, 37, was driving eastbound on Meramec Bottom Road when he struck a car and sped away. Kolley went through the red light at Lemay Ferry and continued on as Meramec Bottom turned into Baumgartner.
Kolley eventually crossed the center line and struck an oncoming vehicle head-on, police said. The driver of that other car, Christine Decker, died at the scene. Decker was 57.
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When EMS arrived, they noticed Kolley as alcohol on his breath and was slurring his speech. Police later obtained a warrant for a blood sample.
Kolley allegedly told first responders that he'd relapsed again, was racing, and did something stupid. He also said he was taking medicine for alcohol withdrawal. He repeated this to police at the hospital.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office charged Kolley with first-degree involuntary manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident. Kolley remains jailed on a $100,000 cash-only bond. A future court appearance could not be found in online records.
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