The Missouri State Highway Patrol says one of its troopers has died in a crash in northeast Missouri.
Trooper James M. Bava, 25, died when his vehicle crashed on Missouri Route FF in rural Audrain County.
Cpl. Scott White says it's unclear how the accident happened. He says the trooper was following a motorcycle before the crash. His patrol vehicle was found after he did not respond to radio calls.
The motorcycle has not been found.
In a statement, Gov. Jay Nixon said Bava's death, "is a reminder of the dangers that the members of Missouri’s law enforcement community face each time they put on their uniforms, and how they willingly put themselves in harm’s way."
The governor ordered the U.S. and state flags at all Missouri state Highway Patrol facilties to be lowered to half-staff.
