Man from Joplin charged with first-degree manslaughter

Anthony Hendricks of Joplin is in custody in Ottawa, County, Okla. on three counts of first-degree manslaughter.

The charges spring from a 2021 single-vehicle accident that killed one adult and two children.

Hendricks was driving the vehicle.

29-year-old Terry Wilkins, 7-year-old Eden Melton and 5-year-old Raylan Brown of Joplin died in the accident.

Court documents say, Hendricks caused the death of three people while under the influence of marijuana and while driving at a speed greater than is “reasonable, prudent and proper.”

Those documents indicate that the crime is punishable by not less than 4 years in prison.