Joplin man arrested after police pursuit, crash

A 26-year-old man from Joplin is facing charges after leading Joplin Police on a pursuit Tuesday. Read the full press release below:

On September 22, 2020, around 12:15 pm, an officer with the Joplin Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle near 4th and Rangeline for traffic violations and believed the driver to be intoxicated. The driver failed to stop for the officer and a vehicle pursuit ensued.

The pursuit ended when the driver ran a red light at the intersection of 7th and Illinois Avenue and crashed into a truck traveling southbound. There were four occupants in the suspect vehicle. Two were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries and two were transported for serious injuries. The two occupants of the truck the suspects crashed into were not injured.

The Joplin Police Department Major Crash Team responded to the scene and are conducting their investigation. At this time, the roadway has been opened back up to normal traffic conditions.

The driver, who has been identified as Donny R. Cook, age 26 of Joplin, is currently being evaluated by medical staff and criminal charges related to the pursuit and crash will be pending. Further details may be released as they become available.