Lance T. Lee, 49, is in the Jasper County Jail on a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident.
Previous post: Illinois trucker who killed eight-year-old Joplin girl charged with felony leaving the scene of an accident
No date has been set for his initial court appearance.
According to the probable cause statement, Lee struck the girl, then drove all the way to Strafford before the Highway Patrol caught up to him.
At first, he claimed the damages to his 2017 Freightliner tractor-trailer were due to hitting a deer on I-44, but later said he thought he had a hit a mailbox on Newman Road. The probable cause statement says material left at the accident matched Lee's vehicle.
Lee's Facebook page indicates he is a long haul driver for USF Holland.
\Destiny Chambers obituary
I hope he really didnt know he hit the little girl.
ReplyDeleteI hope he really didnt know he hit that little girl.
ReplyDeleteShe was com Soaring Heights not Steadly
ReplyDeleteShe went to Soaring Heights, not Steadley.
ReplyDeleteI have fixed the name of the school. Thanks for catching it.
ReplyDeleteIf he truly didn't realize he had hit a child then I truly feel for him. However, why has nobody mentioned that buses are never supposed to have kids cross main roads. They are supposed to stop in the direction that allows the child to board the bus without crossing a busy street. I lived on duquesne road and this was the protocol for my children. They were always only allowed to board the bus as it was headed in the opposite direction in order to allow this. Just a thought. Had the driver stopped and realized he had hit a child, it would have been the bus driver route and protocol being looked at. Besides that, what kind of parent allows an eight year old girl to board bus alone on this busy road. I walk my child to bus door every morning, rain or shine. So before just pointing out one individual, take into consideration that this tragic accident could have been avoided if the school bus driver had required student to cross busy road and the parent hadn't allowed the child to cross alone. So sad and heart breaking. I feel for the child and I feel for the unfortunate driver now carrying this burden.
ReplyDeleteShe was not alone! He hit right in front of her mother. Thanks
DeleteIf he truly didn't realize he had hit a child then I truly feel for him. However, why has nobody mentioned that buses are never supposed to have kids cross main roads. They are supposed to stop in the direction that allows the child to board the bus without crossing a busy street. I lived on duquesne road and this was the protocol for my children. They were always only allowed to board the bus as it was headed in the opposite direction in order to allow this. Just a thought. Had the driver stopped and realized he had hit a child, it would have been the bus driver route and protocol being looked at. Besides that, what kind of parent allows an eight year old girl to board bus alone on this busy road. I walk my child to bus door every morning, rain or shine. So before just pointing out one individual, take into consideration that this tragic accident could have been avoided if the school bus driver had required student to cross busy road and the parent hadn't allowed the child to cross alone. So sad and heart breaking. I feel for the child and I feel for the unfortunate driver now carrying this burden.
ReplyDeletePlus!!!! He drove around other cars that were stopped for the bus
DeleteObviously they have already questioned mom, the bus driver, & other witnesses...that's why he is the only one being charged! Her mother was with her and she didn't "allow" her baby girl to board the bus alone. She ran ahead of her mother because she thought she was going to miss the bus. Her mother has to live with this for the rest of her life. Imagine watching your baby run right out in front of a vehicle and not being able to save her. She will forever have this memory burned into her mind! How about you pray for this mother who just had to bury her sweet baby girl because I know she wishes she could tuck her in & kiss her goodnight! I pray that you never have to feel her pain ����
DeleteThe bus driver should be facing the charges for expecting her to cross!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWould you want somebody dissing you as a parent after you have lost a child? 💔😡
ReplyDeleteLet's let the Highway Patrol do their job and not point fingers.
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ReplyDeleteWhat's the point of turning the blame on the bus driver and the parent... If he thought he hit a deer he is supposed to report it to hwy patrol and his company for the fact he thought he hit something on Newman road why did he keep driving over 60 miles away there are plenty of truck stops between joplin and Strafford missouri, there are at least 6 truck stops in joplin, the guy knew he did something wrong that's why he fled the scene, I hope they nail his ass on all counts
ReplyDeleteAs I’ve heard the kid missed the bus and was running after the bus...
ReplyDeleteThe mother was there. Just didnt walk across with her. Her younger sister, everyone on the bus, the mother and stepfather seen her get killed. So don’t assume she wasn’t there. The bus also should have had her stop signs out if she/he was stopped to pick up children. Whether she/he was on the road the truck was traveling or not.
ReplyDeleteThe parent WAS there. Please be aware of your words before you post your opinion on such a sensitive, traumatic subject. You never know who could be reading.
ReplyDelete** HE DIDN'T STOP AT THE SCENE is the biggest problem ** when you hit something to me you would get out of your car or truck to see what you hit?? it's that simply, not hit and run like he did!!! Like seriously his story is not adding up at all, I know if I hit something,I promise I would get out of my car to see what I hit.... I mean come on people like really?? plain and simply!!! no matter what you hit, you always get out of your car to check, just like this supposely he didn't know he hit her?? that's a bad sign right there, okay but goes to say he thinks he hit a deer like seriously people come on!!! sending many prayers to this young girls family, and all involved such a horrible loss for them, may god continue to comfort you all and give you strength to get through this difficult time!!!
ReplyDeleteMy husband has driven long haul semi-tractor trailer AND school bus for Joplin and Webb City. Don't for half a minute tell me that man did not know he hit her. He would have immediately looked in his mirrors and seen something. He also saw people and a school bus. USF HOLLAND I am ashamed of you!!! I hope you lose your licence as a carrier and are banned forever more. I am a mother that has buried a child. Have you? What have you said to this mother, father, other children that saw this, and that bus driver? Don't go trying to pin it on them!!! I drive that section of road all the time during school pickup hours and my FIRST concern is the children. Is yours? Your trucks are always on Newman Road. He's got a record to begin with and YOU (USF HOLLAND) put our children in his path. Once again shame on you and so much more. I hope you can live with yourself. There are far too many people now that will never have another peaceful day because of your carelessness.
ReplyDelete