Chesterfield Man Charged in DWI Crash that Killed Chesterfield Teacher Esrock

A 53-year-old Chesterfield man was in custody on $100,000 bail Wedesday afternoon after he was charged earlier that day in an Aug. 26 head-on car crash that ultimately killed a teacher, and seriously injured her son.

Police said Patrick J. McCormick was charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter and second-degree assault in a DWI crash. He turned himself in to St. Louis County Police.

Officials said a hearing to reduce bail was scheduled for Thursday 9 a.m. in St. Louis County Circuit Court.

Chesterfield resident Janet Esrock, 50, died Sept. 11 from injuries suffered in a head-on crash with McCormick behind the wheel of a Chevy Tahoe while Esrock and her son neared home in a 1992 Infinity.

Esrock's son Jonathan Esrock, 16, survived the crash with serious injuries that included numerous broken bones and a collapsed lung.

The Esrock family said the pair were returning from a local football game about 10:40 p.m., when McCormick's Tahoe crossed into their oncoming lane.

At the time, Chesterfield police said alcohol was likely a factor in the deadly crash.

McCormick agreed to two blood tests the night of the crash and tested over the legal limit to drive. He was arrested and released, police said.

St. Louis County prosecutors had the investigation days after the crash, but did not move on charges until after the death of Janet Esrock.

Esrock was a math teacher at Whitfield School in Creve Coeur. She is survived by two sons, a daughter and husband Chuck Esrock.

A memorial service for her Friday drew an estimated 500 mourners to Temple Emanuel on Conway Road, where the couple was married in 1988.

According to Linkedin and stltoday.com, McCormick served as a senior director of facilities at Saint Louis University Medical Center.