Riverfront Times founder Ray Hartmann killed in I-64 crash caused by semitruck tire

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Ray Hartmann, the founder of the Riverfront Times and a fixture on the KETC politics present “Donnybrook,” was killed in a crash on Thursday caused by a semitruck tire on Interstate 64. Hartmann was 73.

In an announcement to five On Your aspectHartmann’s spouse, Kerri, stated, “It’s such a tragic loss. He was dearly loved. We’re going to miss him so much.”

Hartmann based the Riverfront Times in 1976 and remained with the choice weekly publication for greater than 20 years. In 1994, he relaunched St. Louis Magazine and remained CEO and proprietor till he bought it in 2018.

His attain expanded past print beginning in 1987 on the Nine PBS political commentary present “Donnybrook.” He was a mainstay on the present for practically 40 years. He joined KTRS in 2019, the place he hosted “St. Louis In The Know With Ray Hartmann.”

In 2024, he pulled again from native media to run for Congress in Missouri’s 2nd district. He received the democratic major, however misplaced to incumbent Ann Wagner in November of 2024.

“I am so deeply saddened to hear that Ray Hartmann was killed in a car accident yesterday,” Wagner stated in a social media put up. “Ray was well known across our community as a fixture on Donnybrook and through the numerous news organizations he owned during his career as a journalist. I am praying for Ray and his family during this tragic time.”

Officials informed 5 On Your Side that the crash occurred in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 64 on the Interstate 270 exit and concerned two autos, together with a tractor-trailer.

The crash report stated two tires fell off a towed unit on the tractor-trailer. The tires hit the concrete median and flew in the air earlier than putting a Chevrolet Bolt. The driver, recognized in a crash report as a 73-year-old man from Richmond Heights, was pronounced lifeless at an space hospital a short while later.

The tractor-trailer’s driver stayed on the scene.