Monday, September 23, 2024

Hit-and-run driver in accident that left Joplin woman dead sentenced to seven years


During a hearing today in Jasper County Circuit Court, Judge David Mouton sentenced Ruben Blanco, 49, Joplin, to seven years in prison on a charge of leaving the scene of an accident.

Blanco was behind the wheel September 26, 2023, when he struck and killed a pedestrian, Eva M. Havelock, 55, Joplin at W 7th and South Gray and fled the scene.

Blanco pleaded guilty July 15. Under his plea agreement with the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office, in exchange for his plea, a second charge, driving while revoked, was dismissed.







On the plea agreement from, Blanco described his crime.

"Hit a pedestrian while driving & then left the scene and the pedestrian died."

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

A good example of how justice is dependent on the wealth of the accused. This guys entire case unfolded from the incident to conviction in the time it took to properly charge the Josephs