Prominent St. Louis Journalist Ray Hartmann Dies in Freak Accident on Interstate 64
Ray Hartmann, a well-known figure in St. Louis media, died in a tragic accident on April 23, 2026, when two tires fell from a semi-truck and struck his car on Interstate 64 in West St. Louis County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that the tires became airborne and crashed through the roof of Hartmann's Chevrolet Bolt, leading to his death shortly after at Mercy Hospital St. Louis. Hartmann, aged 73, was a respected journalist and former Missouri Congressional candidate, known for founding the Riverfront Times and reviving St. Louis Magazine. He is survived by his wife, Kerri, and two children, Ben and Brielle.