Update: Fatality crash and felony murder arrest in Joplin

2nd UPDATE: The two deceased motorcyclists have been identified as Taran Morris, age 20 of Miami,
Oklahoma, and Mark A. McGowen, age 60 of Miami, Oklahoma. Next-of-kin notifications for both
have been made.

For clarification purposes, Taran Morris and Colten Goddard were the motorcyclists who fled from officers and continued to drive recklessly. Morris’ motorcycle collided with McGowen’s motorcycle as McGowen was turning south out of Casey’s General Store at 403 N. Main Street.

Autopsies are currently being scheduled for the two deceased individuals in this crash. This investigation is still ongoing.

Captain William Davis of the Joplin Police Department has issued the following news release: 

On 09-02-2023 at 8:44 p.m., an officer with the Joplin Police Department attempted to conduct a
traffic stop on two motorcycles for careless driving, including observing the motorcycles driving
at approximately 80 mph in a 30-mph speed zone while northbound on Main Street from 15th
Street.

The officer was able to pull behind them at a red light at 10th and Main Street and
attempted to conduct a traffic stop. As the officer activated his emergency lights and siren, the
two motorcycles fled from the officer at a high rate of speed.

The officer deactivated his emergency equipment at 9th and Main and disregarded his attempt to stop the motorcycles However, the officer could still see the two motorcycles continue to drive at a high rate of speed
at approximately 80-100 mph in a 20-mph speed zone, running multiple red traffic lights, and
having no regard for the safety of themselves or other motorists.

A few minutes later the Joplin Police Department Emergency Communications Center received
a 911 report of a crash near 403 N. Main Street involving multiple motorcycles. Officers
responded and located a debris field that stretched for a full city block. It was determined that
the two fleeing motorcycles were involved in the crash along with a third motorcycle. Officers,
along with personnel from METS Ambulance and the Joplin Fire Department, provided aid and
assistance, however, two motorcyclists died from injuries sustained in the crash.

The third motorcyclist was not injured and was taken into custody. Due to the serious nature of the crash,
members of the Joplin Police Department Major Crash Team responded to the scene to
conduct the crash investigation. Preliminary results indicate the two fleeing motorcycles were
northbound on Main Street at a high rate of speed and one of them collided with another
motorcyclist who was leaving Casey’s General Store and attempting to turn south on Main
Street. Names and information of the two motorcyclists who died in the collision are being
withheld at this time pending formal next-of-kin notifications.

Joplin Police arrested the third motorcyclist, who has been identified as Colten F. Goddard, age 18 of Welch, Oklahoma. Two counts of Murder in the 2nd degree are being sought against Goddard due to his actions that resulted in the death of the two other motorcyclists. A probable
cause affidavit for those charges has been submitted to the Jasper County Prosecutors Office.

This is an ongoing investigation and further updates may be released as information becomes
available.