hey need to do that? We could have forgiven that officer. Accidents happen. 

Cabuchola said her brother's key questions are why the sheriff's department initially said the crash was a hit-and-run, and why the Missouri State Highway Patrol was not immediately notified.

 All they had to do was say,  our officer accidentally ran over your child and she died.' That's all they had to do. But no,  she said.

 If there's an accident, especially a fatality, and it involves an officer of any level, any degree, state highway patrol is supposed to be informed immediately,  Cabuchola went on to say about the need for MSHP's involvement.

Cabuchola said she believes the crash was an accident, but that the handling of the aftermath was not.

 The lies. The not calling the right people in. Not getting investigated. Not reaching out to my brother for three days. That wasn't an accident,  Cabuchola said.

 I want to go over to that county jail and tell them, you know. I want to scream and I want to cuss at them. But I know I can't. I know I can't. Just tell us the truth. Just come out and tell the truth. Tell the whole county, this whole county, all of St. Francois County, the truth,  Cabuchola said.

Cabuchola said they have spoken with people who have raised questions for the family about whether Berger was walking or sitting on the roadway when she was hit.

Cabuchola said the sheriff's department does not have dash-camera video from the deputy's vehicle, only body-camera video.

She also said the scene was cleared before the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrived to investigate.

Leadwood Fire Protection District shared that it was initially called to the scene but was advised by the sheriff's department, who were already there, that they could return to service and didn't make contact with the patient. Later in the afternoon on Saturday, a citizen reached out to request help washing down the roadway at the location.

Tuesday afternoon, St. Francois County Sheriff Jeffrey Crites responded to First Alert 4's questions. When asked why the family was initially told it was a hit-and-run, he said he wasn't there Saturday, so couldn't speak to what exactly the family was told, but that initial scene made a hit-and-run a possible scenario, but further investigation and the preliminary autopsy indicated that Berger was only hit by one car, the one driven by the deputy.

The sheriff also said the deputy has been with the department about three months, is around 23 years old and has prior law enforcement experience.

Sheriff Crites said the department does not have in-car cameras, only body-worn cameras, and said it is his understanding that the deputy's body camera was activated and has been turned over to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Sheriff Crites said the deputy attempted to maneuver away from her, reiterated that it was not a pursuit, and said the deputy stayed on the scene.

 We feel for the family. We cannot imagine what they are going through,  Sheriff Crites said, calling Berger's death  tragic and unfortunate  but saying all indications at this time are that it was an accident.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said it is investigating the accident portion of the incident involving Berger. The patrol said it is performing accident reconstruction and interviewing the person who discovered Berger's body in the roadway. The patrol confirmed it is accurate that she was not far from home.

The St. Francois County Sheriff's Department is handling the investigation into how Berger ended up in the roadway. Toxicology tests and an autopsy are being conducted.

Cabuchola said the community has supported her brother, including staff at the funeral home who helped arrange Berger's services.

 The community has really stepped up for our benefit. For my niece's benefit. And we appreciate that,  Cabuchola said.

Cabuchola said her family will continue to push for answers and justice for her niece.

 We won't stop. We're not gonna stop until they tell the truth,  Cabuchola said.

She added,  It's not going to bring my niece back. None of this will. It won't. But if she was alive and sitting by me today, she would have my back 100% on  get the truth Aunt Kimmy, get the truth.