Shirley Jean Howard Obituary, Death; – A mother was tragically killed and her young child sustained critical injuries after being struck by a vehicle in St. Louis on Monday afternoon. According to police reports, the woman was walking in the roadway while pushing her 2-year-old child in a stroller around 2 p.m. when the incident occurred.
Authorities indicated that they were likely forced to walk in the street due to the sidewalks being obstructed by ice and snow from a winter storm that affected the region on January 5. A GoFundMe campaign established by the woman’s family stated that she lost her life “due to the ice on West Florissant in North St. Louis that had not been cleared.”
The family identified the deceased mother as Shirley Jean Howard, aged 39, and the toddler as Amir. The GoFundMe page noted, “Shirley was walking in the street because of the icy sidewalk when a motorist struck and killed her and injured Amir.”
Police reported that the driver, a man in his 80s, veered into the bike lane, colliding with the mother and child before crashing through a snowbank and into a nearby house, which suffered minor damage. The driver is reportedly cooperating with the investigation and was taken to the hospital for observation following the accident.
Authorities confirmed that Howard died at the scene, while the child was transported to the hospital in critical condition. Police have indicated that they are considering issuing citations to property owners who have failed to clear snow and ice from their sidewalks.
