Wednesday, July 05, 2017

Teen arrested for DWI after triple-fatality accident has record of Joplin, Neosho traffic violations

The Neosho teenager arrested for DWI following a triple fatality accident July 4 has been stopped by the Joplin Police Department twice within the past two months for driving without a license, is awaiting trial in Neosho Municipal Court on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia and is currently on probation until July 28 after pleading guilty to a separate charge of driving without a license in Neosho.

The Highway Patrol cited McKay Harris, 17, with DWI, careless and imprudent driving, no insurance, displaying the plates of another, and for not wearing a seat belt following the head-on crash that occurred 1:20 a.m. July 4 on Route V, three miles south of Joplin and took the lives of Harris' passenger, Alex M. Ashlin, 18, Neosho, and the occupants of the other vehicle, Janet M. Ducommun, 67, Neosho, and Ronni J. Ducommun, 32, Wentzville.

The Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's office has not filed charges at this point.

Newton County Circuit Court records show that Harris has a November 27 court date on a possession of drug paraphernalia charge. He was arrested February 22 by the Neosho Police Department.

On February 5, 2016, court records show the Neosho Police stopped Harris for operating a motor vehicle on the highway without a proper license. He was represented by Neosho attorney Brett Allen Day and was placed on probation for one year. His probationary period is scheduled to end July 28.

Joplin Police Department officer Kenneth Braun stopped Harris May 1 at East 32nd Street and Prigmore Avenue and cited him for failure to maintain financial responsibility and for driving without a license.

Joplin Police Department officer Issac Ostley stopped Harris June 22 for driving without a license.






12 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a total tool. He needs to be locked up for a hard 30.

Unknown said...

McKay is in the hospital dying. Yes he did wrong but don't be hateful its wrong to wish death on others. I'm sorry for the familys of the lost ones and I am praying for them. McKay may not make it so people need to keep there mouth shut.

Anonymous said...

I don't think people need to keep their mouth shut. He made a concise decision to repeatedly make bad choices. He KILLED 3 people. He needs to be held accountable, as well as his parents, since he is only 17, and not even old enough to drink! The lack of punishment at younger ages is the reason so many people have to suffer at the hand of stupidity!!!

Anonymous said...

This is horrible. He should have been locked up previously, this wouldn't of happened.

Unknown said...

Who supplied the beer for this minor? I think the ones who bought it should be punished as well, they are just as guilty for giving a minor beer as the minor is for killing innocent people while drinking and driving. I pray that he makes it through this, however he should be locked up. This is not an oops moment this is you took three people's life because you knowingly broke the law.

Unknown said...

The Jasper and Newton court systems are a joke. I know a guy that had about 10 felony charges between the 2 courts and they still only gave him a suspended sentence and probation. There's no punishment or justice with these systems.

The article itself says McKay was on probation, but yet was aressted on Feb 22nd, then stop two more times in May and June. Why was this kid still on the streets? They continue to let habitual criminals run free. Now 3 innocent people have lost their lives. The courts need to be held accountable for allowing these people the be out and about.

Unknown said...

The Neosho and Jasper County Courts are a joke. I know a guy that had 10 felony charges between the 2 courts and all he got was a suspended sentence and some probation. They continue to let habitual offenders run free in the community with no real punishment or holding them accountable.

The article itself states McKay is currebtky on probation, but yet was arrested on Feb 22nd and was stopped two other times in May and June. Why was this kid still on the streets, running free in our communities?! Now 3 innocent lives have been taken. I do not wish death for this kid, I hope he lives so that he has to face the consequences. He must live with the guilt of killing his friend. The courts need to also be held accountable for allowing this piece of work to free.

Michelle Crabb said...

This is horrible for all the familys involved. Beleave me i do not agree with drinking and driving and i dont agree with teens drinking. But once they get to a certain age has parents there is nothing we can do to stop them. And you can thank the state of MO for that cause they say it is ok for teenagers once they are 17 to move out but yet they hold parents liable its bullshit. And all of yall finding fault with this young teenager has also probably had your share of mistakes. We all do we are not perfect. And yes i knew both of the young men. Alex was out my house for months almost every weekend. No i didnt allow them to drink at my house but i let them know if they needed someone to talk if they was troubled to call me. We cant stop when they hit a certain age so let them know to come talk to u maybe just maybe it will make that difference. The fingers should not be being pointed at just the young teenager. Stop and look back at how many people say he was always in truoble at a young age why didnt you try something to help him than but now everyone is fast to blame him..

Anonymous said...

Michelle Crabb is right about one thing. The law in Missouri is flawed and the State has been aware of that flaw for decades. At age 17 there is nothing a parent can do to discipline a child and yet the State holds the parent responsible for that child's actions until said child is 18 years of age. It is a stupid law and needs to be changed but that would do away with a lot of social service jobs, so the people in Jefferson City will not even discuss changing this law.

Anonymous said...

The legal system FAILED the Ducommun Family and they paid the tragic ultimate price!

Anonymous said...

There are so many things that could be said, several comments are valid however, it will not bring back the lives lost, if this 'boy' does survive-then he will have to live with what he has done. For the rest of his life he will be known as a reckless killer. The families and friends of the victims, will go through all the stages of losing life. We will cry for them and remember them with a smile because they were so great and amazing. This boy will never be great or amazing for those of us that are hurting. If he lives, I hope he has remorse and can cope with what he had taken from this world. I pray he becomes a better person, it is a long life to live at his age and have to carry this heavy burden. I will miss Ronni (one of the victims) but I know that she would care about this boy's future-because that is how wonderful she was. These families will come to terms with these losses, it will take decades. Ronni was the most incredible person I ever had the pleasure of meeting, she grew up with an awesome family. They meant everything to her. They will pull through because they must be as amazing as she was. We should pray for ALL involved. God Bless and peace to all.

Unknown said...

McKay died on the table as they where trying to save his life