A respected journalist who spent decades working in local journalism in St Louis, Missouri, has been killed in a freak car accident which saw two tyres from a nearby tractor-trailer crash into his car.
Ray Hartmann, who was 73 , was driving down Interstate 64 near I-270 in St Louis last Thursday afternoon when the tyres flew off the other vehicle and into the air, before plunging through the roof of his car and striking him.
Hartmann’s long-term friend and attorney Andy Leonard confirmed that the journalist died at the scene.
‘The news covered the accident last night, and I can confirm that Ray was in his car when a tyre crashed through his windshield,’ he said in a statement.
Hartmann was known around St Louis as the founder of local publications The Riverfront Times and St Louis Magazine – while he was also a co-founder of the PBS show Donnybrook – which airs on affiliate channel PBS Nine – for nearly 40 years.
The channel paid tribute to him on their website, saying they were ‘shocked and deeply saddened’ to learn of his death’.
‘Ray was a cornerstone of St. Louis journalism and a foundational voice of Donnybrook, but most of all, he was our beloved friend,’ they said.
For nearly four decades, Ray was at the Donnybrook roundtable, rarely missing a week, delighting viewers with quick-witted and highly opinionated conversations about issues shaping our region.
‘As a co-creator of the program in 1987, Ray helped establish Donnybrook, earning a devoted audience and national recognition as one of the most-watched local public affairs programs in the country.’
Donnybrook host Charlie Brennan said Hartmann’s departure was ‘too soon’, adding: ‘I think he had books to write, columns to write, causes to champion,’ and I’m very sorry that he’s not going to be around to get to those.’
Meanwhile Matt Coen, the owner of St Louis Magazine, added: ‘Ray’s impact as an entrepreneur, as the founder of the Riverfront Times, as a defender of the First Amendment, and as someone deeply invested in the best parts of politics and civic engagement was an inspiration.’
Executive editor of the magazine Sarah Fenske called him ‘an exellent writer and an even better talker’, adding that ‘his death is truly a shock to the community’.
As well as his journalistic and TV work, Hartmann also attempted to run for Congress in Missouri’s 2nd District in 2024, winning the Democratic primary – although he eventually lost to incumbent Republican representative Ann Wagner.
He is survived by his wife Kerri and his two children Brielle and Ben – with Kerri telling local media his death is ‘such a tragic loss. He was dearly loved. We’re going to miss him so much.’
An investigation into the crash is ongoing.