Army veteran, transplant recipient ID’d as man fatally hit by truck in Belleville
Six days after he was struck and killed by a pickup truck, the St. Louis Medical Examiner’s office confirmed the identity of the victim.
Milford Eaves, 60, of Belleville, was pronounced dead at Saint Louis University Hospital at 11:50 p.m. on Friday, June 6, according to Tara Rick, spokesperson for the medical examiner.
Belleville officers were dispatched at 8:30 p.m. to investigate a report of a man being struck by a vehicle in the 1200 block of Centreville Ave., according to a release by the police department. At the scene, they located Eaves in the roadway unconscious and with serious injuries, but breathing, the release stated.
Officers and EMS personnel immediately attempted life-saving measures, but Eaves was transported to St. Louis, where he was pronounced dead. He was struck by a gold 1998 Chevrolet S-10.
The driver of the truck, a 61-year-old man, stayed at the scene and talked to police and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. He was later released, however, pending additional investigation.
Belleville Police said Thursday that investigation is ongoing and provided no additional information.
According to an obituary from Coplin Funeral Home in Park Hills, Missouri, Eaves is survived by two children and three grandchildren. A GoFundMe page established by his family, Eaves had been on the transplant list for years before receiving a new liver in 2023.
The family is trying to raise money to fulfill Eaves’ wish of a military burial at Jefferson Barracks Cemetery in St. Louis. As of Thursday, the campaign had raised $2,365 of a $3,000 goal. To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/tc7fp.
