Trucker That Killed Joplin Girl Pleads Guilty

The truck driver from Illinois that hit and killed an 8-year-old girl as she was running across the road to get on the school bus has pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident.

50-year-old Lance Lee allegedly hit Destiny Chambers of Joplin on Newman Road in the early morning hours of September 27th, 2018 with his tractor trailer. She died of her injuries at the hospital.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol tracked Lee down in Strafford, MO later that morning. His truck was damaged on the front bumper, which matched pieces of the bumper found at the scene. Blood and clothing fibers were also stuck in the grille.

When he was interviewed by police that morning, Lee lied to investigators saying he hit a deer. He then admitted to being at the crash scene, but thought he hit a mailbox as he passed the school bus. Lee told his employer he hit a deer because hitting a mailbox is a much more serious offense, and could have affect his employment.

His sentencing is set for April 13, 2020.