Ray Hartmann, 73, died after two tires struck the roof of his Chevrolet Bolt in west St. Louis County.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO — A 73-year-old Richmond Heights man died Thursday after two tires came off a semi truck, hit a median and crashed through the roof of his car on Interstate 64, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said.
Authorities identified the driver as Ray Hartmann, a longtime St. Louis journalist, media founder and former Democratic congressional candidate. The crash brought sudden grief across local news and public affairs circles, where Hartmann had been a familiar voice for nearly five decades. The patrol said the investigation remains open as troopers review how the tires separated from the commercial vehicle.
The crash happened about 2 p.m. April 23 on eastbound I-64 near Interstate 270 in west St. Louis County. The patrol said a Volvo VNL lost two left-side road unit tires. The tires struck the median, became airborne and traveled through the roof of Hartmann’s Chevrolet Bolt. Emergency crews took Hartmann to Mercy Hospital St. Louis, where he was pronounced dead at 2:05 p.m. A family representative, attorney Andy Leonard, said Hartmann’s wife, Kerri Hartmann, was at the hospital when doctors explained that efforts to save him had failed. Leonard thanked police, doctors and hospital staff for their response and said the family was seeking privacy.
Investigators have not said what caused the tires to detach. The truck driver, described in reports as a 64-year-old man, was not publicly identified. Authorities said he was located after the crash and was cooperating with the investigation. Troopers have not announced citations or charges. The patrol’s crash summary said the tires came from the Volvo and struck Hartmann’s vehicle after going airborne. Local reports said the crash temporarily closed eastbound lanes of I-64 while investigators worked at the scene, collected evidence and cleared debris from the roadway.
Hartmann was best known for founding the Riverfront Times in 1977 and helping create the Nine PBS public affairs program “Donnybrook” in 1987. He later revived St. Louis Magazine and remained a regular presence in local commentary, broadcasting and political debate. He retired from journalism in 2024 to run for Congress in Missouri’s 2nd District. He won the Democratic primary and lost the general election to U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner. Friends and colleagues described him as sharp, forceful and deeply tied to St. Louis civic life. Nine PBS said Hartmann was a foundational voice of “Donnybrook” and a beloved friend to the station’s staff and panelists.
The crash also renewed attention to the danger of loose wheels and heavy debris on highways. Nick Chibarria, a AAA spokesperson, said crashes involving debris of that size are unusual but can unfold in a split second. “This is an unfortunate and tragic reminder,” Chibarria said. Another driving instructor interviewed by local television described a separate close call with flying debris and said even alert drivers may have little time to react when a heavy object crosses lanes or rises from a median. Authorities did not say Hartmann had any chance to avoid the tires before impact.
Hartmann’s death drew tributes from journalists, public officials and viewers who knew him from print, radio and television. Charlie Brennan, a longtime “Donnybrook” colleague, said the two had built a close friendship over decades of weekly appearances. Others remembered Hartmann for creating outlets that shaped St. Louis media and for pressing local leaders in columns, broadcasts and campaign appearances. Leonard said Hartmann is survived by his wife and two children, Ben and Brielle, who were away at college when the crash occurred.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol has not released a final crash finding. The next step is the completion of the patrol investigation, including review of the semi truck, the detached tires and any maintenance or inspection records tied to the vehicle.
Author note: Last updated April 29, 2026.