Joplin dentist charged with two felonies related to hit and run fatality in 2023

A man from Joplin was charged Friday with two felonies related to a hit and run accident that killed 60-year-old Gary Wayne LaTurner of Galena, Kansas on August 19, 2023.

John Joseph, II, a Joplin dentist, is  charged with leaving the scene of a fatality accident and contributing to the misconduct of a child.

Last year, a teenager from Joplin, 17-year-old Rocco Bazzano, was identified as the driver of a truck involved in the collision.

Bazzano, now 18, is the son of John Joseph, II.

Bazzano is now reportedly charged as an adult with leaving the scene of a fatality crash.