Shock and sadness in the courthouse square downtown, as those who knew him are remembering James Heitman, the Assistant Circuit Attorney who died in a rush hour crash on 270 in south county Wednesday afternoon.
Former Circuit Court Judge Michael Mullen says he worked with Heitman often.
"He was a great guy. James was in my courtroom four or five days a week for probably a couple of years. We got to know each other pretty well in that time. He was an outstanding young man," Mullen says, adding he was "dedicated to being a public servant, wanted to be a prosecutor, came to the office because he wanted to make a difference.
Judge Mullen says Heitman was a dedicated prosecutor who had his whole life ahead of him.
"It just is a very unpleasant, harsh reminder to realize what's important in your life, because the last time you talk to somebody really could be the last time you talk to somebody," he says.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the 32-year-old's car was at the rear of a four-vehicle chain-reaction crash on southbound 270 near Interstate 55 around 5:15 p.m. Three of the four cars reportedly caught on fire.
"The fact that he got killed so tragically and unexpectedly is a loss for his family and for all of us who really liked him and knew him well," Mullen says.
— Circuit Attorney (@stlcao) May 4, 2023
