The loss of any life is tragic but sometimes, there are situations that really take our breath away. That recently happened in Missouri when a police officer and mother of six children lost her life while in a high-speed chase.
Officer Phylicia Carson, 33 was in her patrol car at the time when it went out of control after she tried to make a traffic stop and it turned into a high-speed pursuit. She was part of the Osage Beach Police Department and was on duty at 1:20 AM on Sunday when it occurred.
Carson approached a vehicle that was speeding on a rural road and turned on her emergency lights. She was only going to start a traffic stop but when the driver sped up and left the scene, Carson began chasing. Unfortunately, her car veered off the road and crashed into a tree.
According to Chief Todd Davis, the patrol car burst into flames when it impacted the tree. The department received a report of a vehicle on fire along the highway where she was pursuing the suspect. They were unable to reach her.
Chief Davis said: “Officer Carson lost her life in the crash.” His voice trailed off as he gave way to tears.
23-year-old Christopher Aaron Bishop Wehmeyer, the suspect, crashed just a few minutes after the accident and was later arrested.
Officer Carson had been with the department since June 2023. Her husband, Grant Carson and six children are left behind.
This is the first time in 30 years that a death occurred for that Police Department.
