A routine drive turned into a nightmare on a Missouri highway when a pair of massive semi-truck tires suddenly went airborne and smashed straight through a car’s roof — killing a well-known media figure in a shocking, split-second tragedy.
Ray Hartmann, a 73-year-old father of two and longtime voice in St. Louis journalism, was behind the wheel of his Chevrolet Bolt on Interstate 64 in West St. Louis County when disaster struck Thursday afternoon, April 23.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a Volvo VNL semi-truck traveling nearby lost two of its left-side tires. In a terrifying chain reaction, the heavy wheels detached, launched into the air, and came crashing down directly onto Hartmann’s vehicle — punching through the roof and striking him.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene around 2 p.m., but the injuries were catastrophic. Hartmann was transported to Mercy Hospital St. Louis, where he was pronounced dead just minutes later at 2:05 p.m.
The driver of the semi, a 64-year-old man, remained at the scene. Authorities have not publicly identified him, and it’s still unclear what caused the tires to come loose.
The victim was later identified by family friend and attorney Andy Leonard, who said Hartmann’s wife, Kerri, was at the hospital when doctors delivered the devastating news.
“She and I were there when they told us he didn’t respond to their efforts,” Leonard said, thanking first responders and hospital staff for their care.
Hartmann leaves behind his wife and two children, Ben and Brielle, who were reportedly on their way home from college when the tragedy unfolded. The family has asked for privacy as they process the sudden loss.
Beyond the horrifying way he died, Hartmann was a towering figure in local media. He founded the Riverfront Times in 1977, later revived St. Louis Magazine, and became a familiar face on the long-running PBS debate show Donnybrook, where his sharp takes and quick wit made him a staple for decades.
He officially stepped away from journalism in 2024 — closing out a career that helped shape the voice of St. Louis for generations.
In a statement, Nine PBS said the team was “shocked and deeply saddened,” calling Hartmann a “cornerstone” of the region’s journalism scene and a beloved colleague whose impact won’t be forgotten.
What started as an ordinary drive ended in a freak accident almost too bizarre to believe — a reminder of how quickly everything can change on the road.
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