Home / Disasters and Accidents / Journalist Ray Hartmann Dies in Bizarre Road Tragedy
Journalist Ray Hartmann Dies in Bizarre Road Tragedy
25 Apr
Summary
- Two tires detached from a truck, striking a car's roof.
- Ray Hartmann, a journalist, was fatally injured in the incident.
- The accident occurred on Interstate 64 in West St. Louis County.
A tragic and unusual accident claimed the life of Ray Hartmann, a prominent St. Louis journalist, on Thursday, April 23rd. Two tires detached from a Volvo VNL and became airborne, crashing through the roof of Hartmann's Chevrolet Bolt on Interstate 64 in West St. Louis County. The 73-year-old driver was struck by the tires and transported to Mercy Hospital St. Louis, where he was pronounced dead at 2:05 p.m.
Hartmann was a foundational figure in St. Louis media. He founded the Riverfront Times in 1977 and later co-founded the long-running debate program Donnybrook on Nine PBS. In 1998, he revived St. Louis Magazine. After periods of freelance work, he retired from journalism in 2024. His passing has sent shockwaves through the local media community.
Nine PBS released a statement calling Hartmann a "cornerstone of St. Louis journalism" and a "beloved friend." They highlighted his decades-long presence on the Donnybrook roundtable, known for his quick wit and insightful commentary. He is survived by his wife, Kerri, and two children, Ben and Brielle.
