FATALITY CRASH - "NO EVIDENCE OF IMPAIRMENT" SAYS JPD

"NO EVIDENCE OF IMPAIRMENT" SAYS JPD
• Uninjured driver of SUV identified as Mark Rohr, former Joplin city manager
• We asked why is JPD investigating this crash instead of Missouri State Highway Patrol? "Mr. Rohr is a private citizen who is no longer employed by the city of Joplin."

(64801) -- Official information from the Joplin Police Departmentregarding the motorcycle fatality last night on West 7th and Tri-State Road.

The crash involved a Ninja Motorcycle and a white SUV. Donald Kidwell III of Galena, KS was operating the motorcycle. He was transported to an area hospital where he later died of his injuries.

The driver of the white SUV was 58 year old, Mark Rohr. Rohr is Joplin's former city manager who left his position with the city in February 2014.

Captain Trevor Duncan tells Joplin News First exclusively, “No evidence of impairment with the driver of the SUV. Mr Rohr is a private citizen who is no longer employed by the city of Joplin”

OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Tuesday evening, at 8:54pm, the Joplin Police Department responded to a two-vehicle crash at 7 th and Tri State. A 2016 Dodge Durango, driven by Mark Rohr, 58, Joplin, was turning east from the stop sign at 7th and Tri State Road.

A 2005 Kawasaki Ninja was being operated westbound on 7th by Donald L. Kidwell III, 38, Galena, Kansas. The motorcycle impacted the rear driver’s side of the SUV. Kidwell was ejected from the motorcycle. Kidwell was transported to Mercy Hospital where he died from his injuries. Rohr wasn’t injured in the crash.

The Joplin Police Department Major Crash Team responded and is investigating. This the 5th fatality crash of 2018 for the Joplin Police Department.
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For LIVE! Breaking news as it happens...Joplin News First.

MOTORCYCLE FATALITY CRASH CLOSES ROUTE 66

MOTORCYCLE AND VEHICLE CRASH CLOSES ROUTE 66>>>NOW CONFIRMED A FATALITY CRASH
• West 7th & Tri-State Road at city limit
• Traffic moving normally at 1:00 am

(64801) — Capt Trevor Duncan of the Joplin Police Department confirm to Joplin News First at 10:42 pm. "It is now a fatal crash. Nothing else released until tomorrow."

[TRAFFIC ALERT EXPIRED]
Avoid this area of West 7th St/Route 66. MoDOT Southwest Missouri has set up a road block at Black Cat Road to the West. And also at 7th and Schifferdecker to the East. Alternate routes will be Belle Center Road to the North or 13th/Junge to the South.

Thank you to our first responders tonight. Carl Junction Fire Protection District, Joplin Fire Department and officers including Joplin Police Department, Jasper County Sheriff's Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol. Also Rosenburg Recovery & Towing for your work.

Also thanks to our anonymous tipsters who let us know what they saw and text us. Our friend Photog Gregg, Mandi, Julez and others...you are Joplin News First. #joplinnewsfirst

QUO WARRANTO>>>SHOULD BARD SERVE ON THE JOPLIN CITY COUNCIL

SHOULD BARD SERVE ON THE JOPLIN CITY COUNCIL>>>QUO WARRANTO LOOMING
• ‘writ of quo warranto' is being filed in Jasper County
• 80% of Joplin News First pollsters say 'YES, He should serve'

(64801) – Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney Theresa Kenny tells Joplin News First that she is preparing to file a 'quo warranto' in the matter of Joshua Bard holding a seat on the Joplin City Council.

“That will be filed in the Jasper County Circuit Court here in Joplin,” Kenny tells Joplin News First. “In a case of quo warranto, the attorney general or the prosecuting attorney will represent the state.”

After Bard was recently elected to one of the 3 general seats on the Joplin City Council, Joplin city attorney Peter Edwards, brought to light that Mr. Bard had a past criminal record which wouldn't allow him to serve on the council.

After Bard challenged that decision saying he has been off probation for 6 years, last Friday Edwards turned it over to the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney, Theresa Kenny.

“A writ of quo warranto is not a petition, but a notice of demand, issued by a demandant, to a respondant claiming some delegated power, and filed with a court of competent jurisdiction, to hold a hearing within 3 to 20 days, depending on the distance of the respondant to the court, to present proof of his authority to execute his claimed powers.” - www.constitution.org

The quo warranto will be filed in Joplin since it's the closest jurisdiction. And a hearing must be held within 3 to 20 days.

The prosecuting attorney will present the law they feel that doesn't allow Mr Bard to serve in office. And then Mr. Bard as the respondent and have a chance to show why he should remain in office.

Then a judge will decide if Mr. Bard has the right to serve. It's not known what Jasper County judge would hear the case – if it's even picked up. They go by a rotation of numbers on case and judge assignments. If it's not even chosen to be heard by a judge then by that silence of the court Mr. Bard would be determined ineligible to serve.

“If the court finds the proof insufficient, or if the court fails to hold the hearing, the respondant must cease to exercise the power. If the power is to hold an office, he must vacate the office.”

ARGUMENT FOR REDEMPTION
“I feel that when my right to vote was reinstated January 1, 2012, then also my right to hold an office should be reinstated too,” Bard tells Joplin News First.

He also cites: (Mo. App. 1966). A person convicted of a felony under Missouri law or convicted under the law of another jurisdiction of a crime that would be a felony if committed in Missouri forfeits any office he many then hold, and is ineligible to hold office until completion of his sentence or probation. Mo. Rev. Stat.5 561.012(1)(1)

SUBJECT THREATENING PEOPLE WITH A TASER TRIES TO EVADE POLICE

JPD SET UP PERIMETER AND CAPTURE SUBJECT
• Royal Heights near Laurel & Patterson
• Subject threatening others with taser

(64801) — A call came in to Joplin Police Department there was a male subject ‘threatening people with a taser’ at a residence in the Southern part of Royal Heights along Turkey Creek.

Capt Trevor Duncan confirms with Joplin News First they set up a perimeter (seen in map). And at the same time tips were pouring in on our FB, tipline and messenger.

When officers responded to the residence he fled into the wooded area.

K9 were brought in and the subject was apprehended quickly. He was wanted on some outstanding warrants police also confirm today.

Developing story we will update you as more information becomes available. Thanks also to our friend Elisabeth who called us from the Trolley when she saw JPD swarming into the Royal Heights area and let us know - today she is Joplin News First.

MAN RUNNING FROM JPD OFFERED A PERSON $5 FOR A NEW SHIRT - DIDN'T FOOL K9

OFFERED A PERSON $5 FOR A NEW SHIRT - DIDN'T FOOL K9
-6th & S Jackson on the alley, behind Save-A-Lot, abandoned the vehicle
-Offers $5 to a person to give him a shirt
-Suspect brought into custody near 4th and Byers

(64801) — Joplin Police Department confirm tonight they came upon a stolen vehicle and then realized the occupant wasn't the owner.

The occupant drove through a neighborhood and ducked into this dead end alley (seen in images). From there he fled on foot. Before K9 arrived JPD blocked off areas of Jackson and Conner. One neighbor said the man on foot offered $5 to a person for a shirt to change up his identity.

He was finally taken into custody about 6 blocks away. Changing the shirt didn't stop the K9 from identifying him.

"You should have seen it, they said K9 is out, or something like that, and off he went," one neighbor told us. She was glad to hear us tell her the suspect was in custody at 4th and Byers near the corner store.

Thank you JPD for your quick work. More official details as they become available.

Thanks for the calls/texts/messages from Joey, Shelly, Colton, Phillip, Jenny and so many others. Tonight thanks for telling us what you saw because you are all Joplin News First!