Friends and Family Speak Out After 16-Year-Old Persephone Berger Was Fatally Struck by Deputy’s Vehicle

A tragic incident involving a 16-year-old girl has prompted an outpouring of grief and calls for clarity after she was struck and killed by a police vehicle in Missouri. Persephone Berger was hit during the early hours of Saturday, 3rd October, on Davis Crossing Road, according to reports from local authorities.

The St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding an unresponsive individual lying in the roadway, responding officers arrived at the scene to find that a deputy inadvertently hit Berger while attempting to assist. They noted that the deputy had not seen the teenager before the accident, accusing claims of a hit-and-run that were later refuted by Investigation.

Friends and family of Persephone described her as a kind-hearted and humorous individual. “She was very kind and super funny. A truly good kid,” shared one of her friends, Isaac Madden. Classmates donned pink T-shirts as a tribute to her, reflecting on her memory during a time filled with sorrow. Another friend, Riley Skaggs, mentioned the mood at school had shifted dramatically with Persephone’s passing, saying, “We hung up pictures, laughed, and talked about stories of her, but the halls were extremely quiet.”

Persephone’s aunt, Kimberly Cabuchola, has been vocal in seeking answers regarding the circumstances of the incident. She asserted that the family was initially informed that it was a hit-and-run. Cabuchola shared her heart-wrenching encounter with the news, saying, “My brother called me with horrible, terrible news. He said, ‘Persephone was involved in a hit-and-run, and she’s dead.’”

According to Cabuchola, Persephone had sneaked out to attend a nearby party prior to the tragic event. The family is calling into question why the sheriff’s department allegedly miscommunicated details of the incident and why the Missouri State Highway Patrol had not been contacted right away. “What do you think I’m feeling? Anger. Not because the cop hit her… But to try to cover it up and lie to our family? Why?” Cabuchola expressed emotionally.

The St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office has stated that the deputy involved notified his supervisor and remained at the scene following the incident. They emphasised that it was unclear what had led to Berger being unresponsive in the road before emergency responders arrived. An autopsy was conducted shortly after the tragic event, and preliminary findings suggested that the injuries sustained were consistent with being struck by the responding deputy’s vehicle.

Persephone’s friends have rallied in her memory, highlighting her love for Harry Potter and recalling her as “one of the best people” they had ever met. The impact of her loss has resonated deeply throughout their school community, leading students to organise a T-shirt fundraiser to support Persephone’s family during this devastating time. A GoFundMe page has also been established to aid the family with funeral expenses and additional unforeseen costs, underscoring the overwhelming support for them in this tragic period.

Community member Joe Weathers, who has had a long-standing friendship with the Berger family, reiterated the urgency for support in their time of grief. He highlighted the emotional toll of losing a child, stating, “They need time to grieve… to navigate a loss no family should ever experience—without worrying about how they’ll make ends meet.”

As this heartbreak unfolds, the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol have yet to comment further on the incident. As investigations continue, the community remains united in their remembrance of Persephone Berger, holding on to the cherished memories of a vibrant young girl whose life was tragically cut short.