Tragedy struck St. Louis over the weekend as longtime broadcaster Brian McKenna passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning after being hit by a vehicle. According to local police, McKenna was struck on a corner near his home. Sadly, despite paramedics arriving quickly, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Meanwhile, officers confirmed that the driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and is fully cooperating with the investigation. Fortunately, the driver was not injured. However, no further details have been released since Saturday morning.
McKenna, 61, was a celebrated St. Louis sportscaster who spent nearly two decades on local sports talk radio stations. His contributions to the industry and his impact on listeners made him a beloved figure in the community.
According to a news story on 104.1 KMOX’s website, St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Mike Claiborne reflected on McKenna’s personality and presence in the industry.
“He had a great sense of humor. I think that’s the one thing most people will remember about him,” wrote Claiborne. “He was quick. I’m sure he could be a joke writer if he wanted to be. But more importantly, he was a passionate person when it came to his family and friends. He was one of those guys where you really had to be on the wrong side of things in order for Brian to dislike you. He was always thoughtful and very supportive of various causes.”
In addition, The Brighter Side of Blue podcast shared the heartbreaking news with its followers on Facebook early Saturday morning, posting a tribute to McKenna.
“This morning, we received the horrible news of the passing of our friend, Brian McKenna,” wrote the podcast via Facebook. “Brian was an incredible person who brought a smile to your face by simply seeing him walk into the room. His charismatic personality was infectious. His positive attitude, toughness, as well as his sense of humor during his battles to beat cancer, was inspiring to everyone that knew him.”
Beyond his broadcasting career, McKenna was a brand ambassador for the St. Louis Hero Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the businesses of local first responders and military families. Furthermore, as a cancer survivor, he was deeply committed to raising thousands of dollars for local charities, leaving behind a lasting legacy of generosity and resilience.
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