Joplin father charged 2 Felonies related to Fatal 2023 hit and run crash say Kansas Investigators

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kan. (KOAM) — It has been a year since Gary Laturner was killed in a hit and run crash just outside Galena, Kan. on K-66.

Earlier this year a Joplin, Mo. teen was charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving a death, from August 19, 2023.

Now new charges filed Friday by Cherokee County investigators state the teen’s father is charged as well.

“That on or about August 20; 2023, in Cherokee County, Kansas, JOHN HENRY JOSEPH [II] was the driver of a motor vehicle that was involved in an accident that resulted in the death of a person, to wit: Gary Wayne Laturner, and the offender knew or reasonably should have known that the accident resulted in injury or death of a person, and unlawfully and feloniously failed to immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident, or as. close thereto as possible, and then failed to immediately return to and remain at the scene-of the accident.” - Kansas Courts

John H. Joseph II, of Joplin, Mo. is charged:

1. Leaving the Scene of a Fatality Accident
2. Contributing to a Child’s Misconduct or Deprivations

Joseph has not been arrested. However a summons has been filed for Joseph to appear in court to face the charges October 7, 2024.

To clarify the father was not the driver in the fatal crash, but he was a witness to the scene.

The charges for the teen were refiled as an adult. They still stand we are told, they were refiled yesterday. Rocco Joseph is charged Felony Leaving the Scene of a Fatality Accident.

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