Police identify suspect, victim in fatal hit-and-run collision

John Hacker, The Joplin Globe, Mo.
·1 min read

Jan. 10—Joplin police made an arrest Wednesday in a fatal hit-and-run collision on West Seventh Street.

A dark-colored vehicle struck Eva M. Havelock, 55, of Joplin, at 6:05 p.m. Monday near the crosswalk at Gray Avenue. Havelock was taken to a local hospital and died on Tuesday from her injuries.

Investigators said they were looking for a 2002-2005 Ford Explorer with damage to its front grille and a missing headlight assembly.

Capt. William Davis said on Wednesday that investigators followed up on a lead in Duquesne and located the suspect vehicle. Police spoke to the owner of the vehicle and continued to investigate, obtaining information that they said confirmed that he was the alleged driver of the suspect vehicle during Monday's collision.

Police said Ruben Blanco, 49, of Joplin, was arrested.

Davis said the information will be submitted to the Jasper County prosecutor's office for charges.