Probable cause- Joplin woman admits she did meth before crashing into SUV, killing Terry and Rhonda Copple

 

A Joplin woman charged with two felony counts of driving while intoxicated (death of two people) in connection with the fatal crash that killed Terry Copple, 55, and Rhonda Copple, 48, both of Joplin Sunday, admitted to police that she was on meth, according to a probable cause statement posted this afternoon in Jasper County Circuit Court.

Rita Michelle Glasgow, 30, is a patient at Freeman West Hospital following the two-vehicle crash, which occurred 3:56 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of 28th and Connecticut Avenue. 

In addition to the two counts of DWI, Glasgow is charged with tampering in the first degree since her vehicle was reported stolen from a Duquesne man, possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

The alleged crimes are described in the probable cause statement, written by Joplin Police Department officer Mackenzie Roach.

I made contact with Ms. Glasgow at Freeman Hospital. I noticed that her pupils were constricted with eyelid tremors.

Ms. Glasgow appeared to very exicted, as well as Ms. Glasgow continually fidgeted with her fingers and had uncontrollable body tremors which is common with methamphetamine use.

Ms. Glasgow's heart rate and body temperature were elevated according to methamphetamine use.

Ms. Glasgow's heart rate and body temperature were elevated according to medical staff on scene.

Ms. Glasgow admitted that she consumed methamphetamine and Klonopin prior to operating her vehicle. Medical staff located a bag of suspected methamphetamine in Ms. Glasgow's bra and placed it on top of Ms. Glasgow's purse. I observed a clear baggie with 3.7 grams with packaging of a white clear crystal substance on top of Ms. Glasgow's purse. During a probable cause search of Ms. Glasgow's purse, I located a black box. In the black box, I located a loaded syringe with a clear substance, a clear baggie with 0.4 grams with packaging of a white clear crystal substance and multiple other items of drug paraphernalia

While I was at the hospital, I was notified that the white GMC Sierra was being reported as stolen to the Duquesne Police Department and that the owner of the vehicle, Ervin Whitt, was wanting to pursue charges.

While on scene at the hospital, I was notified by Colonel Swann that the passenger of the Ford SUV had been pronounced deceased at the scene. The passenger was identified as Rhonda Copple.

While still on scene at the hospital, medical staff advised that the driver of the SUV who had been identified as Terry Copple had been pronounced deceased due to the injuries he had sustained during the vehicle crash.

I read Ms. Glasgow implied consent asking for a blood sample. Ms. Glasgow admitted that methamphetamine would show up in her blood.

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office is asking that Glasgow be held without bond.

(Note: A member of the Copple family has asked me to share that there has been no gofund me or fundraiser set up for the family's expenses at this time.)

Earlier posts

Joplin woman charged with murder, DWI, in double fatality crash, already awaiting trial on two Newton County drug trafficking charges

Inside Joplin: Joplin woman charged with two counts of murder, DWI, after running stop sign, killing Joplin couple