Man struck and killed by pickup in Royal Heights Neighborhood, was lighting fireworks in roadway

JOPLIN, Mo. (KOAM) — About 9:50 p.m. Thursday evening on Utica Ave near Brownell Ave in Royal Heights a male pedestrian was struck by a pickup alerting Joplin E-911.

Joplin Fire Dept, Joplin Police and METS ambulance responded.

“Emergency personnel arrived at the scene to find a male with severe injuries in the roadway. Preliminary investigation indicates that an individual was lighting fireworks in the westbound lane of Utica between Florida and Brownell when a pickup truck entered westbound Utica from Florida and struck the male in the westbound lane.”

- Joplin Police Dept

The victim was transported by METS Ambulance to Mercy Hospital Joplin where he was pronounced deceased. Next of kin are notified, the deceased is identified as Kevin Watson, 50, of Joplin.

The Joplin Police Department Major Crash Team continue investigating the fatal incident.

The driver of the vehicle is identified as Steven Lea, 74, of Joplin.

Watch for updates to this breaking news story.