Suspect in hit-and-run death of Joplin woman had suspended California license

The Joplin man charged with felony driving while intoxicated in connection with the hit-and-run death of Eva M. Havelock, 55, Joplin, Monday was driving with a suspended California license, according to documents filed today in Jasper County Circuit Court.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Ruben Blanco, 49, with bond set at $100,000- $50,000 cash and $50,000 surety. A condition of his bond, if he is able to post it, is that he "not drive any vehicle on any public roadway."

The Joplin Police Department located the 2005 Ford Explorer Blanco acknowledged to investigators he was driving.  

"{It} had extensive damage to the front end, indicating it was involved in a collision," according to the probable cause statement.

Blanco’s 2005 Ford Explorer was missing its driver side headlight assembly and front grill. The headlight assembly located at the crash scene had a parts number which came back to the year, make and model of Blanco’s vehicle. A front grill with a Ford emblem was also located at the crash scene.

The accident occurred at 6:05 p.m. Monday at 7th and Gray.