Joplin Police Department releases name of victim in fatal rollover crash at 34th and Main

(From the Joplin Police Department)

On September 18th, 2025, around 10:41 a.m., the Joplin Emergency Communications Center received 911 calls for a rollover crash at 34th and Main Street. Joplin Police, Joplin Fire Department, and M.E.T.S. Ambulance responded. 

Upon arrival, officers located a two-car rollover crash requiring rescue with partial road blockage. The Jo plin Police Department’s Major Crash Team responded to the scene to conduct the crash investigation.

As a result of the investigation, the Joplin Police Department Major Crash Team determined that a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder was westbound on 34th Street attempting to cross Main Street, westbound. A 2025 Jeep Compass was southbound on Main Street approaching the intersection of 34th and Main Street. The westbound Pathfinder entered the intersection and collided with the southbound Jeep Compass. 

A passenger in the Nissan Pathfinder, identified as William Gilstrap, 80, of Joplin, was pronounced deceased on scene. The driver of the Nissan Pathfinder was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. The occupants inside the Jeep Compass did not report any injuries. 

Contributing factors to the crash include failure to yield. This case remains open and active as the Joplin Police Department’s Major Crash Team continues to investigate.