Joplin man fatally hit by truck while lighting fireworks

A man from Joplin was killed when he was struck by a vehicle while shooting off fireworks in the Royal Heights neighborhood Thursday.

Joplin police say 50-year-old Kevin Watson was lighting fireworks in the westbound lane of Utica St. between Florida Ave. and Brownell Ave., when a pickup truck entered westbound Utica St. and hit him.

Watson was taken to a Joplin hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The Joplin Police Department Major Crash Team is investigating the incident.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 74-year-old Steven Lea of Joplin.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family.