NEWS RELEASE



For further information please contact:

Trooper Julie A. Scerine

314/340-4028

C010504

January 8, 2005



EMPHASIS: St. Charles Man Arrested for Leaving the Scene of Fatality Accident





On Sunday, February 6, 2005, Gerald J. Reiser, 42, of St. Charles, Missouri, was arrested for manslaughter 2nd degree and felony leaving the scene of an accident, in addition to three outstanding warrants. The arrest occurred at a residence in O’Fallon, Missouri, following the two-day investigation of a leaving the scene accident, which resulted in the death of a 20-year-old St. Charles man.



On Friday, February 4, 2005, at approximately 7:52 p.m., a two-vehicle accident occurred on westbound 370 east of the Earth City Expressway. As a result of the crash, John Rosciglione, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri, was ejected from his vehicle and landed in the eastbound lanes of 370, where he was struck by oncoming traffic. The second vehicle involved in the accident, a white Lincoln, fled the scene. Witness information provided the vehicle description and license plate information, which led officers to Mr. Reiser. Mr. Reiser was taken into custody at 11:18 a.m., February 6, 2005 and is being held at the St. Charles County Jail.



Captain Ronald S. Johnson, Commanding Officer of Troop C, St. Louis, stated, “It is a tragedy any time someone loses his or her life in a motor vehicle accident. The success of this investigation was a combined effort between the hard work of the troopers and the witnesses to the accident. Any time you witness an accident, please provide your information to the officers. You may provide key information to the investigation.”



The charges for which Reiser has been arrested are mere accusation and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of these charges must be presented in a court of competent jurisdiction, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.