KIRKWOOD, Mo. — The woman killed in a Kirkwood crash over the weekend was identified as an assistant principal at a south St. Louis charter school.
The St. Louis County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed 45-year-old Sarah Howell was the woman killed in the crash.
Confluence Academy South City announced Howell's death in a reel posted to Facebook. She was an assistant principal at the school.
According to the school, she started as a PE teacher at the school in 2009 before becoming the Middle School Assistant Principal in 2018.
"She was loved by everyone, and she leaves a legacy behind that will last a lifetime!," the school said in the post.
Police said Monday a 45-year-old woman was driving southbound through the intersection of Geyer and Big Bend roads when a vehicle struck her car at around 9 p.m. on Saturday, police said in a statement with few details. The woman died at the scene.
Officers with the Kirkwood Police Department found the victim as soon as they arrived at the crash scene, police said. The passengers and driver of the vehicle traveling west on Big Bend were not seriously hurt.
Police did not share the circumstances or the cause of this deadly crash, but said they were still under investigation.
"At the conclusion of the investigation, the case will be presented to the St Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review of possible charges," the statement said.
Police shared no other information, citing an open investigation.
"Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim," the statement said.
Michael Carmody also sent his condolences.
He's with the advocacy group Safer Streets for Kirkwood and considers this intersection a problem.
"My immediate thought was how fast was one of these cars going. It appeared one of the tops were cut off, it was horrific," Carmody said. "We've been lobbying hard for Big Bend for five years."
He's referencing to the improvements he wants in this area.
Carmody said his biggest concern is speeding. The speed limit is 35 miles per hour, however through a study he learned the average driver goes 45 miles per hour in this intersection.
Carmody said he's been looking at a John Hopkins study which says, narrower traffic lanes could help lower the risk of traffic-related collisions.
"These lanes are too wide, wide lanes make the drivers feel comfortable and exceed the speed limit," he said.
St. Louis County is working on a project for this specific intersection, with construction set to begin in 2025.
"We're trying to push the issue, go to the media, do whatever we can to wake everyone up to get this resolved, that's what we need," Ruzicka said.
To watch 5 On Your Side broadcasts or reports 24/7, 5 On Your Side is always streaming on 5+. Download for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV or the Apple TV app store.